OUTSIDE OURSELVES
2
Corinthians 12:5-10
2
Corinthians 12:7: “To keep me from
becoming conceited because of the surpassing great revelations, there was given
me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me.”
Overcomers
devotion challenges believers to accept as true Jesus’ statement, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect
in weakness.” This was His answer
to Paul when asked to remove the “thorn” in Paul’s flesh.
Paul shows us proper response when
we have something painful or bothersome that God won’t remove from our
lives. “To keep me from becoming
conceited” isn’t only a danger for Paul.
People tend to brag about the slightest achievement—as though we’re the
only one who’s that cool!
Paul embraced Jesus’ “for My power is made perfect in weakness”
phrase. So Paul bragged about his
weaknesses. People NEVER brag about
weaknesses! Why does Paul do that? Paul shows off weaknesses specifically so
that every victory was accomplished with God’s power.
Before great strength comes, great
weakness is confessed.
While Paul was still tormented by
whatever was that “thorn,” he adopted a different attitude. He couldn’t very well brag about himself anymore. But he could brag about Jesus.
Paul established many churches. He travelled the known world preaching the
gospel of Christ. He wrote letters to
the churches teaching, strengthening and empowering the people during his
absence.
These letters are still read in
church services today throughout the world.
“First and second lessons,” called epistles, are read aloud from a New
Testament book in the Bible.
Paul lived outside himself. Outside his pain, beyond torment, Paul continued
serving God. Paul glorified Master Jesus
despite his pain. When we think we can’t go on, let’s think
about how Paul didn’t stop until his race was won. (See lesson linked below). Won’t you try experiencing God’s great
strength living outside yourself after admitting great weakness?
Take Home Nugget
Our
weakest moments—when we feel the most desperate—are when God is free to do His
most empowering work in us. “Abba, I
can’t go on!” we cry out wanting courage and strength to overcome life’s
challenges.
Jesus’ grace is sufficient.
His power is made perfect in our
weaknesses. Those who never admit weakness never receive and understand God’s
supernatural empowerment that carries believers outside ourselves straight to
victory. Life experiences of
witnessing God’s power from our own weakness convinces us that it’s safe to
live outside ourselves.
Paul brags in 2 Corinthians 12:10,
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in hardships, in persecutions, in
difficulties. For when I am weak, then I
am strong.”
This race I will run
Until I’ve won.
For can’t you see
That God’s power is with me?
J.D.
Griffith
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What an honor it is to meet you!
My background is a life time of worship, but seriously following Jesus came with age. Spiritual maturity is a leap of faith. Sometimes we don’t know what we’re missing until living on the edge of God’s leading. My life of self sufficiency ended abruptly when losing my job as an analytical chemist after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Now living on the edge of God’s leading has become a way of life that I wouldn’t trade for anything else.
Surrendering one’s will to the Lord can be scary. Why did I wait so long to do it? Diving into an intimate relation with the sovereign God of creation is the most secure position in the universe. Will you share your experience with me? Will you let me give you my testimony? May I introduce you to the Jesus I know?