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"And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong."
(2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
This week, we are examining the subject of brokenness and how God uses painful seasons to make us into the men and women He intends us to be. Some may ask, "But surely there is a way for God to accomplish what He intends to do in us other than this process, right?" Actually, no; this is the path He uses, and He is consistent as you read throughout the Bible and church history. If you see someone who is being used mightily by God, then know that he or she has been through the hard school of brokenness.
In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul describes his ministry and defends it. He writes about what he has gone through, how he had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, etc. In 2 Corinthians 12:6-8, he details a very trying time in his life: "For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me." Then he pens the verses that are our focal text for today's devotion. I love how transparent Paul is in this section of 2 Corinthians. This is his most autobiographical writing of all his epistles.
This is a powerful passage of Scripture related to suffering and brokenness, God's method of dealing with the self-centered life, the desire in us to act independently of God. All of us have the tendency to focus on getting our way; brokenness is God's way of dealing with this. Pastor Stanley states, "Because Christ has purposed to bring every area of our life in submission to His will, He will continue to remove every obstacle necessary for our complete surrender and full trust in Him."
I will close today's devotion with some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs: "Hallelujah Anyway" by Rend Collective. You can watch the video here: |
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