We join Jesus and the Father in the family business.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

Boasting is necessary, though it is not beneficial; but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. ² I know a man in Christ, who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. ³ And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— ⁴ was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak. ⁵ In behalf of such a man I will boast; but in my own behalf I will not boast, except regarding my weaknesses. ⁶ For if I do wish to boast I will not be foolish, for I will be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one will credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me.

⁷ Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! ⁸ Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. ⁹ And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ¹⁰ Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Today’s text says: Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. Regardless of our earthly position or standing, none of us should exalt ourselves. In Matthew 23:12 Jesus says: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”   It is not that we necessarily should delight in our weakness as it is that we should be fully reliant on God’s all sufficient grace. Psalm 37:4 says: Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Regardless of our standing or position, we should delight in the Lord, focusing on Him and not ourselves.

What does it look like for God’s strength to be perfected in our weakness? In John 14:12-14 Jesus says: “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”  Philippians 4:13 says: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  We can do all things, even greater works than those that Jesus did, because it is Christ working in us and through us. It is Jesus who says: “I will do it.” The ability to do greater works is because the power of God is multiplied through us. In Leviticus 26:8-9 God says: Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand; and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you.  God’s power is multiplied exponentially through us so that we can fulfill His purpose and will for us. Romans 8:28-29 says: We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.  God causes all things, including our weakness, to work together for our good. So that, God’s strength, perfected in us, conforms us to the image of Christ. We become His brothers and sisters and join Him and the Father in the family business.

Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. May Your strength be perfected in my weakness. May Your kingdom come and Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven, in and through my life. Give us this day our daily bread, a fresh revelation of Your power for today. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. By Your Spirit guide me to do the works You have planned for me. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.