Our Bible Study Group has just completed the study of 2 Corinthians. In this letter, we learnt that Paul had to steadfastly defend his apostleship to the church. However instead of boasting about his accomplishments and success stories, he highlighted his failures and weaknesses. This is a sharp contrast from what the world is teaching. The world loves success stories where the successful are honoured while the weak and failures are despised.
Living in a world that promotes this type of worldview, it is not uncommon then to see that Christian believers behaving likewise. We want to be successful, live ordered lives, perfectly in control of every foreseeable situation. We want to align ourselves with the strong and successful ones and distance ourselves from the weak and failures. When our lives get messy, we struggle and immediately focus on what is wrong and imperfect with the aim to find a quick-fix solution.
We all want to be strong and competent. Yet King David and Apostle Paul do suggest that we should embrace our weaknesses as a reminder to trust in God’s strength alone.
Paul confidently proclaim that because God’s grace is sufficient for him during his sufferings, he will gladly glory in his infirmities so that the power of Christ may rest upon him. (2 Cor 12:9).
David reminds us that God is Our Strength, Rock, Fortress and that "it is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Psa 18:32
Therefore, instead of looking inward, we should turn our focus to our heavenly Father, the Source of Strength. It is trusting Him, rather than trusting our own capabilities. It is a picture of sweet surrender.
God works powerfully in the midst of our weakness to show His power as we trust, surrender and obey. That’s when His strength and perfect way is displayed most brightly in our lives.
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