Enough is Enough

Daily Reading: 2 Corinthians 12-13

Scripture Focus: 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. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Devotional Thought: Paul had a “thorn in the flesh.” While we do not know what this was specifically, most scholars agree that it is likely either Paul’s struggle with temptation and the flesh, or a physical, chronic infirmity that pained him. The exact nature of his thorn in the flesh is unimportant, but of utmost importance is the contentedness with which Paul lives with his struggle. He pleads with the Lord to remove the thorn, but accepts and even embraces God’s response, even when it is not that for which he had prayed.

When we think about this, it is truly amazing. How many of us are content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities? Paul sees past the here-and-now to the bigger picture: it is through our weaknesses that God’s power is made perfect in us. Paul had a better goal than his own comfort, satisfaction, good-standing, and agenda. His ultimate goal was to showcase God’s glory! He is not the first man of God to desire this above all else. Moses was a man of self-admitted weakness, and God chose him to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery to freedom. He had his own thorns, but he consistently pursued God above all else. “Please show me your glory,” (Ex. 33:18).

We, too, have thorns. As Christians we are called to share in Christ’s sufferings (1 Pet. 4:13). We can do so with a constant attitude of self-pity, bringing no glory to God, or we can do so with an expectation that in our weaknesses the power, majesty and glory of God will shine forth.

Jenny

Prayer: Lord, help us to be content when we face suffering, persecution, and difficulties. Use us to showcase your glory and win others to your Kingdom!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 118.25-29

25 Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! We bless you from the house of the Lord. 27 The Lord is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!

28 You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. 29 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!