Advantage: The Weak One

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  2 Cor. 12:9-10 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Therefore I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

          Our daughter played tennis in high school, and I found it a fun game to watch. It was particularly exciting whenever the scoring got to “deuce,” meaning the score was tied and one player needed to score twice in a row to win the game. When one player scored the first point after deuce, she was said to have the “advantage,” which meant she only needed one more point to win, whereas her opponent needed three!

          When we recognize our weakness and ask God to supply His strength, you and I have that kind of advantage! We are already “one up” on the opponent (Satan) simply because of who’s on our side.                

         If we rely on our own strength, we don’t make room for God’s strength and power. We are like a toddler who defiantly says, “I do it myself!” When the task is too complicated for the little tyke, mom watches him struggle until he finally asks for help. When mom steps in, the task is done easily and efficiently, while the toddler watches and learns.

          Is it just me, or is verse 9 easier to take than verse 10? It is one thing to remember that God’s strength is perfected in our weakness, but quite another to take pleasure in all the major struggles that come our way. It is a complete attitude shift to see insults, catastrophes, persecutions and all of life’s pressures as opportunity for demonstrating the power of Christ in our lives – as something to take pleasure in! Is it really possible to get to the point where we can enjoy the struggles because it gives God an opportunity to show Himself in wonderful and amazing ways? That is an incredible level of trust. How did it develop in Paul’s life? What would it take for you to get there?

 God's strength is sufficient, no matter what the circumstances.

·         Think about the phrase “reside in me” (2 Cor. 12:9 above). Other versions translate this phrase “dwell in” or “rest on.” Literally, the Greek word means to “pitch a tent.” What image does it create in your mind?

·         Where in my life am I stubbornly saying “I do it myself?” What can I do to move aside and invite God into the process?

·        Consider a struggle you are dealing with right now-whether small or large. How can this be an opportunity for you to demonstrate the power of Christ that resides in you?

Comments

  1. Karen IngleNovember 12, 2020 at 10:50 AM

    The image that came to mind with God's "pitched tent" is camping beside a stream. Because tacked to my bulletin board for encouragement is Psalm 87:7, "All my springs are in You." At the campsite of God's choosing, (here, in me, astoundingly) He provides all I need. Thanks for prompting me again to rely on the spring that never dries up.

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