Just What the Doctor Ordered
Today's 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
In life, we are dealt with many adversities and complex situations that sometimes have no answers, solutions, or from a human perspective, a positive outcome. In our finite and selfish way of thinking, a positive outcome is that every sickness will be cured, all of our financial worries are taken away, no one dies, and problems go away. However, that is not the case. Our God has a divine and incredible plan for our life that involves affliction, pain, problems, and uncertain outcomes. All of these unpredictable problems are God’s gifts to us to teach us the power of His grace at work in our lives. Would you notice with me how God’s grace is just what the doctor ordered when we have unsolvable problems and challenges?
We see a grievous problem.
Paul had a problem that he described as "a thorn in flesh," the messenger of Satan sent to buffet him. He had a problem that was painful. He had a problem that slowed him down. Many people believe that Paul may have had failing eyesight. It could have been from glaucoma, macular degeneration, or even a detached retina in one eye that could have been from a blow to the head that he had received years before. We don’t know what it was, but we know that it was bothersome. Paul prayed three times for God to mercifully take away this problem, but God did not. Many times, we consider a problem similar to Paul’s as one that is grievous and perplexing. How is your grievous problem affecting you and your spirit?
We see a gracious provision.
After the third time he prayed for God to take his problem away, God came to him with a wonderfully gracious provision. God wanted Paul to experience the power of Christ in his weakness. My good friend Dr. Paul Chappell has often said that God is not attracted to our strengths, but to our weaknesses. God told Paul, "My strength is made perfect in weakness." The solution for Paul and us sometimes is not the removal of the problem. The solution is learning how God’s grace is able to sustain us in our weakness. God’s grace gives us the strength to endure. God’s grace enables us to wait on Him and see how the fiery trial is sent to burn the dross of sin out of our life. In your affliction, allow God’s grace to be sufficient for you.
We see a grateful practice.
Paul said, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Paul was happy to suffer for Jesus. He was saying that it was alright that he had to wait on God. He realized that God’s power could be experienced in his weakened condition. He learned that it is only when we are weak, then we are strong. Thank the Lord for any suffering He has allowed you to experience, and let His power strengthen you.
God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. Let us have the spirit that Job had when he said, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh: blessed be the name of the Lord.” Don’t allow bitterness or a grievous spirit to overtake you when God allows affliction into your life. Claim the promise of 2 Corinthians 12:9, and be sustained by God’s marvelous grace. It is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Have a grace-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Psalm 96-102