Paul’s Second Letter
to the Corinthians: DAY 29
READ 2 Corinthians
11:1 – 12:10
In your journal, write
down the things that stick out to you from today’s Bible reading. Respond to
what God shows you as you feel led.
After 15 verses of justifying a few moments of boasting,
Paul begins to “boast” in his accomplishments in order to make a point. In
contrast to his opponents, Paul boasts in his weaknesses! The second half of
chapter 11 describe the intense persecutions and sufferings Paul has endured,
making his life of little envy to anyone. He describes these so as to point
again to Christ’s exaltation in man’s weakness.
In chapter 12, Paul continues with a bit of sarcasm,
speaking of himself in the third person. His opponents have been known to boast
in their spiritual experiences and so Paul does the same in order to make a
point; but again, he brings it back to his weaknesses, through which Christ is
glorified. He openly shares from his own experiences of wrestling through
suffering. He doesn’t love suffering because he loves pain or because he would
want people to feel sorry for him; he is content in suffering because through
his weakness, God’s power and strength is made perfect. In a time of great
need, the Lord spoke powerfully to Paul with the excellent promise of verse 9: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power
is made perfect in weakness.”
PRAYER AND MEDITATION
1.
How might God want to encourage you
through today’s reading? To which experience in your life does God want to say,
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness”?
2.
Make a list of your strengths – the
things that you are good at. Ask God to help you if this exercise is difficult
for you; you do not need to feel guilty about having strengths – these are
gifts from God! Now look over your list and think about how God is greater and
has more than each of these things. Thank Him that He exceeds all human
strength.
3.
Now do the same, but list your
weaknesses, and only your top five. Now ask God to reveal His strength in the
midst of each weakness. Thank Him that He exceeds your weaknesses and that He
can work through them. Spend some time humbly committing yourself to God today
and asking Him to use you as He sees fit.
