DCLM Higher Everyday 10 December 2023 — Strength In Weakness
Topic: Strength In Weakness
Text: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Key Verse: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Message
A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that does not sound possible or reasonable, but upon a closer examination, is proven to be true. The Bible is full of paradoxes. Christianity, in particular, is founded on apparently contradictory but true beliefs. For instance, under the Christian teaching, giving is getting, scattering is gaining, having nothing is possessing everything, dying is living, we conquer by yielding, the greatest is the least , and the servant or the humble is exalted. One of such paradoxes is the subject of our devotion today – we are strong when we are weak.
Weakness makes us vulnerable. It makes us conscious of our limitations and our need of God. And it gives us the opportunity to depend on God’s strength and God’s resources. Weakness leads us to prayer, to faith and to God. Our greatest hindrance often is our strength. Before God can use any man greatly, He first breaks him and liquidates him. In many instances throughout the Bible, we see God use individual’s weaknesses to better help His kingdom. There is strength in weakness.
Quote: Weakness leads us to prayer
Challenge: Our greatest hindrance often is our strength.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, I depend on your strength.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
