"Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamaities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
This is one of the greatest oxymorans of all times, that I am strongest when I am at my weakest. This is only true when we consider the true origin of our strength, that it is the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me. It is a recognition that even in my greatest self strengths and greatest self effort I can do no good thing for Christ or His kingdom. It is in this recognition of my self inability that I open the door for the flooding power of the Spirit of Christ to flow through me to accomplish his good purposes, both in me and through me.
Look at the list Paul rattles off that he is now content with, (content shouldn't be confused with enjoying but rather seen as able to endure with confidance) weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and calamities. Lord, so work this in me that I too see my greatest strengths and abilities as truly insufficient that I might gain the strength that is mine through the power of the Holy Spirit to be content in all situations.
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Wonderful. What a blessed relief to truly understand..day by day.. that there is nothing inside of me- that is to say, is part of my human self- that is capable of being strong. How often did we try this before our conversion.. how miserable a failure. Strength through weakness- a divine truth born into every believer. The KJV uses the word 'glory' in place of 'content' regarding our weaknesses- yes, not only to endure with confidence as content suggests but to take GREAT PLEASURE in my weakness- it would only stand to reason!!
ReplyDeleteThank-you Lord for truth that brings the proudest heart to its knees..