Unexpected Sufficiency

In Paul's 2nd epistle to the church at Corinth, he writes about his famous "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor 12:5-10). Just what was that thorn? Well, we all know he had an eye problem (Gal 4:15; Gal 6:11) because he needed someone to write his letters for him. Or ... maybe it was a speech problem (1 Cor 2:1-4; 2 Cor 10:10). Okay ... no ... we don't know. I think, in fact, it's deliberately vague because we don't need to know. What do we need to know?

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:8-10)

Paul lays out a key concept here that affects every aspect of our lives. It is the simple and straightforward statement that "My grace is sufficient for you." If that was a period ... dead stop ... it would be enough. His grace is sufficient. End of story. Stop worrying about it. But He didn't stop there. Christ went on to say, "My power is made perfect in weakness." Do you hear that? His power is perfected in ... you ... your weaknesses, your shortcomings, your inabilities and failures. Our weaknesses remove the illusion of our own sufficiency. I coined my own phrase, "delusions of adequacy," because we all suffer from the lie that we are capable. We're not. Our weakness demonstrates relentlessly our need for and dependence on God. That "made perfect" is literally "to finish, to carry out into full operation." In our weakness God's power can be put on full display. It's like when Paul wrote, "For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble ..." (1 Cor 1:26-27). It's God's "I don't need your help; I've got this."

Notice, though, one more vital thing. Paul could acknowledge Christ's words. He could nod and say, "Okay, I'll accept that." But ... he didn't. He ... embraced it. He "boasted" in it. In fact, he boldly declared, "I am content with" all these weaknesses. Not, "I'm content in spite of them." No. He was carrying out his own claim that "we also exult in our tribulations" (Rom 5:3), that "in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him" (Rom 8:37). He found victory in weakness. He didn't just accept it. He said, "When I am weak, then I am strong." Are you? He doesn't say, "When I am weak, then He is strong." No ... Paul found strength in his own weakness because he absolutely depended on God's grace. What about you? Is God's grace sufficient for you? Is He your only hope?