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2 Corinthians 12:9 - Power in Weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 - Power in Weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) My grace is sufficient for you, for my 
power is made perfect in weakness.  

CONTEXT

Paul's Vision and His Thorn: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.

COMMENTARY APPLICATION with Emphasis on vv. 9, 10.

Here is recorded one of the greatest spiritual truths in all of 
Scripture: God's strength is made perfect (complete, mature) in our 
weakness. Verse 10 expresses it again in summary fashion: "For when I am 
weak, then I [through Christ's power] am strong." [Believer's SB] 

When we are strong in abilities or resources, we are tempted to 
do God's work on our own, and that can lead to pride. When we are 
weak, allowing God to fill us with 'his' power, then we are stronger 
than we could ever be on our own. God does not intend for us to seek 
to be weak, passive, or ineffective--life provides enough 
hindrances and setbacks without us creating them. When those obstacles 
come, we must depend on God. Only his power will make us effective for 
him and will help us do work that has lasting value. [Life 
Application SB] 

Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every malady; and 
when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh, we should give 
ourselves to prayer. If an answer be not given to the first prayer, nor to 
the second, we are to continue praying. Troubles are sent to teach 
us to pray; and are continued, to teach us to continue instant in 
prayer....When God does not take away our troubles and temptations, yet, if he 
gives grace enough for us, we have no reason to complain. Grace 
signifies the good-will of God towards us, and that is enough to enlighten 
and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and comfort in all 
afflictions and distresses. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. 
[Matthew Henry Commentary] 

If you will seek the Lord and be converted every day; if you 
will of your own spiritual choice be free and joyous in God; if with 
gladsome consent of heart to His gracious call you come wearing the yoke 
of Christ,--the yoke of obedience and service,--all your murmurings 
will be stilled, all your difficulties will be removed, all the 
perplexing problems that now confront you will be solved.  MB100, 101 

  Not many people get excited about their weaknesses. Usually, 
we are embarrassed by them; we do everything possible to hide them; 
we cringe if people think we're a "weak person." That was me--at 
least back in the late sixties, when I was in high school. But a 
reckless diving accident several weeks after graduation changed all that. 
A broken neck left me a quadriplegic, without use of my hands or 
legs. There was no way I could hide a "limitation" like my wheelchair. 
I would wake up in the morning and cry out, "Oh God, I can't live 
this way.... I don't have the strength to face a life of paralysis." 
Then I stumbled onto 2 Corinthians 12:9. 
  It began to dawn on me that my weakness might very well turn 
out to be a strength--it would force me into the arms of Jesus out of 
sheer desperation. And I learned that's not a bad place to be. 
  Nearly forty years have passed, and I am still going to God 
every morning, urgently looking for help and hope. I have learned that 
my paralysis is my passport to peace, power, and a perspective sent 
straight from heaven. "Boasting in your weakness" is the Christian way to 
live. It's the biblical way. In fact, it is the only--the best--way to 
live! And I would rather be in my wheelchair needing Jesus than be on 
my feet without him. 
  Joni Eareckson Tada, founder and CEO of Joni and Friends 
International Disability Center, is a national disability advocate and the 
author of more than forty books, including Joni, her best-selling 
autobiography. [The One Year Bible Live Verse Devotional] 

MINI-VIDEO ON THIS PASSAGE:

Finding Strength in Weakness by Pastor Boonstra; 
http://www.itiswritten.com/television#episodes/2502