Text:
2 Corinthians 12:8-9 (ESV)
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Observation:
Yesterday in the course of helping a friend with an adversity in her family I was blessed with an amazing testimony of how God works in speaking to His people.
In the midst of working on her issues she went and got a devotional book that she had read earlier that morning. The devotional book was, “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. O, what a timely word from the Lord.
“Expect to encounter adversity in your life, remembering that you live in a deeply fallen world. Stop trying to find a way that circumvents difficulties. The main problem with an easy life is that it masks your need for Me.”
I looked down at the bottom of the page, and one of the scripture references was a Psalm I wrote about yesterday. We saw God connect a lot of dots, and He works everyday.
Psalm 91:1 (ESV)
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
All of us who live in this fallen world will encounter adversity at some time in our earthly journey. Your adversity may be similar to some of the things that Paul experienced or that may be different. However, we all have a list of adversities that we could cite. Here is Paul’s list.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (ESV)
10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
How was Paul able to boast and speak with joy and gladness about his weaknesses, and the adversities that he faced in his life? The answer is the sufficiency of the grace of God in his life.
2 Corinthians 4:7 (ESV)
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Don’t ever lose sight of this truth, “The surpassing power belongs to God and not to us”. Then, you will be able to know, and experience what Paul was able to say.
Philippians 4:13 (ESV)
13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Prayer:
Father, we give You the honor, glory, and praise that You alone deserve. Father, we are so grateful that the amazing grace of God is sufficient for all of the needs of Your beloved children.
Father, in these days of adversity we ask that You would draw us closer to You through the office work of the Holy Spirit. Father, in times like these help us to lean hard on Thee. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray, Amen.
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Isaiah 55:11 (KJV)
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Hear the Daily Devotional by Herb Cotton; click here: