7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I feel this passage often relates to me, well it applies to all in some way. As the one forgiven much can love much. The one with great infirmity is humbled much. There is nothing worth boasting about in myself, it is all empty. There is boasting in Christ, who works in us. ” HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD. 18 For it is not he who commends himself that is approved, but he whom the Lord commends.”
It is all to easy to fall into spiritual pride, much easier than I care to admit. Boasting is a trap, it hinders God from moving in our lives in power, It turns off people we want to share Christ with, and it stops us from being humble. In humility and desire God’s mercy explodes on the scene.
Three times Paul implored the Lord to take these attacks, whatever they were, from his life, but God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
I love the reason for the messanger. Infimity and attack keep us humble. For me, from personal experiance, I know that friction, spurs, and infirmity realy does help to keep me humble. What then is humility? For me, humility is seeing just what I am before God, not more and not less.
As I yield, Christ can work. The more I yield, the more powerfully God can work in my life. “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” That is so good. With Paul, I will boast in my weakness, trusting that the power of Christ may dwell in me richly.
The Spirit’s power is mercy, favor, compassion, and love toward other. Let us accept our cross and pour ourselves out as a drink offering knowing that God will use us to heal and encourage those we meet.