“’ My grace
is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly
about my weaknesses,
so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2
Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
The
Apostle Paul had a chronic problem-which he referred to as a thorn in his side.
He asked God to take it away. When Paul prayed about it, God gave him a
peculiar answer.
“‘My grace is
sufficient’” God chose not to honor Paul’s request. Instead He worked
through the condition. God spoke of grace—His unmerited love. He told Paul His
love was enough to see Him through.
“‘. . . my power is made perfect in weakness.’” God says something
here that seems to be a paradox. His power is perfected in weakness. What does
He mean? When we can’t do something because we aren't strong enough to handle
the issue, He, at our request, takes over and works through the circumstances
and turns it into something that glorifies Him.
”‘. . . I will boast
all the more gladly about my weaknesses.’” THE MESSAGE translation of Bible
has an interesting interpretation of these words. “I quit focusing on the
handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength
moving in on my weakness.”
”‘ . . . so that
Christ’s power may rest on me.’” Paul wanted God to be seen instead of him.
Paul, who previously persecuted Christians, wanted the LORD to be seen, not
him. He didn’t want to stand in the way.
Do we
let things get in the way of the LORD-between Him and us? Yes, sometimes we do.
It happens because we are human and we have shortcomings. This happens when
take our eyes off of Jesus and put them on other people.
Because
of God’s grace we are privileged to walk with Him each day. As we walk with God
we represent Him to those we meet. This happens in the market place, in the
doctor’s office, at the park, and just outside our front door.
It is my goal in 2013 to lean more on God’s grace
It is my goal in 2013 to lean more on God’s grace
A rendition of a hymn I love by a group I have seen. One of the singers is from my area. Wonderful Grace of Jesus
.
Won-der-ful. That's all. :)
ReplyDeleteRhonda: Thank you for stopping by.I have a special memory about that song.I was in a large meeting as a part of an Annual Conference of our former church. The words were on the overhead screen. I was concerned if people would know the parts without the music in front of them. When we came to the chorus, everyone seemed to divide into their respective parts like professional musicians. I felt as if I'd been led into heaven.
DeleteWonderful Grace of Jesus, Greater than all my sin...How shall my tongue describe it, Where shall its praise begin? I love that song too. Especially love to sing the chorus with all the parts. That's one of those songs that thrills my soul...oh how I miss singing the hymns of faith that we love.
ReplyDeleteGRACE...a wonderful word for the year. God's Grace... Grace that is greater than all my sin...yes...Thank you, Lord.
Thank you for sharing this with us today. Blessings to you.
Pamela: Thank you for stopping in. I love the old songs. I like the praise and worship but I miss the old songs like these about grace.
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