By Abhilash Pulichanickal
2 Corinthians 12:9: “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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
THROUGH this verse Apostle Paul was teaching the believers at the church in Corinth that they should not despair when they face challenges in life and experience weaknesses in their body, mind and soul. His words of encouragement are meant for us too. God’s Word is unchanging. What should we do when we feel weak, powerless and incompetent? We should rely on God’s grace and His power to sustain us and move in faith.
We can find strength in our weaknesses by trusting God and allowing His power to work in and through us. That’s why Apostle Paul says we must boast in our weaknesses and lean on God’s grace fully realizing that His power is made perfect in our weaknesses.
We can find several instances in the Bible that illustrate the message of 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Let’s take the example of Moses. When God called Moses, who was tending his father-in-law’s sheep to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he was hesitant because he stuttered and did not feel confident in his abilities to stand before the Pharaoh leave alone lead the Israelites out of Egypt to the promised land. However, God assured him that He would be with him and help him speak. In Exodus 4:11-12, God told Moses, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.” When Moses finally heeded the call of God on his life, despite his weakness, he was able to lead the Israelites out of Egypt with God’s help.
Take Gideon for instance. When God called Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites, Gideon felt inadequate and weak. However, God assured him that He would be with him and help him. In Judges 6:16, God says to Gideon, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.” Gideon asked for signs. God gave him what he was looking for. Finally, despite his weakness, Gideon was able to lead the Israelites to victory with God’s help.
Apostle Paul himself was a living testimony to the power of God in man’s weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul speaks of a thorn in his flesh that he begged God to remove. However, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” We don’t know what Paul’s weakness was. Some say it was his poor eyesight. Whatever it was God used Paul mightily to plant churches, evangelize great parts of Asia and Europe and disciple hundreds of believers. Despite his weakness, Paul was able to spread the gospel and start churches throughout the Roman Empire with God’s help.
These examples demonstrate that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. We can also find strength and courage in Him, even when we feel inadequate or weak. It is my prayer that we will yield our lives to God and trust in His Word. The Bible says He is faithful even when we are faithless. Lean on Him and His grace and He will see you through your difficulties and weaknesses. Can I hear an Amen to that?
