Today we continue our new series entitled, “Press through it!”
This morning I woke up thinking about the following passage. This is something that happened to the Apostle Paul. Paul wrote about himself in third-person. This is what he said:
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
(2 Cor 12:2-10 NIV)
There is a great deal in this passage to talk about. For the next few days we will walk our way through it. For today I will give you a few nuggets to help lay the foundation.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The attack is against the assignment.
a) Yesterday I told you that the greater the assignment from God, the greater the attack will be from satan. Because the attack is against the assignment.
b) Satan can care less about you. What he cares about is stopping the hand of God from operating in your life. Satan does not want to see you get used by God to impact the world for good. So he will do all he can to get you frustrated. Satan cannot stop God and He cannot stop you when you are being led of God. But if satan can get you to quit, then you are stopped. But he did not stop you, you stopped yourself by quitting.
c) Of all the Apostles, Paul faced the strongest opposition, because he had the greatest assignment. The attack was against the assignment in his life and the same can be said of you.
2. You ask God for less challenge and He responds with more grace.
a) I am sure Paul did not want to endure all he endured. No one likes challenges. No one enjoys hard times. But when Paul asked for less challenge, God gave him more grace. God will do the same with you.
b) Instead of taking the challenge away, God will remind you that He has already given you the grace to overcome it!
3. When you know you are nothing without God, you boast in how weak you are.
a) Paul was arguably the greatest Man-of-God of his time, and instead of boasting in his accomplishments, Paul chose to boast in his weakness. Paul’s point was that he was nothing without God. We should learn from him.
b) Paul was able to do all he did, not because of his abilities, but actually despite his inadequacies. If you would be honest, you can say the same.
4. There is freedom in acknowledging your weakness.
a) The message of grace has changed my life. I am free because I know I am not good enough to do what I am called to do. I will get it done, but it will not be because of my goodness or human effort. It will be only because of God’s unearned and amazing grace.
b) Grace puts the spotlight on God and not on you. When you fully embrace the grace of God, you are free from the pressure to perform. This is an amazing way to live!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, Your goodness towards me is humbling. You have been far better to me than I deserve. You shower me with kindness. You flood my heart with peace. You bless me beyond measure. You don’t do this because I am so good. You do it because You are so good. You bless me richly by Your unearned grace. You called me by name from my mother’s womb, before I did anything to earn the call. And the call is so big that when I think of it I feel unworthy. I know I can’t do it without You. I know I am inadequate and my weakness is actually liberating. Because now I simply rely on You and Your grace. Your assignment exceeds my checkbook, education, connections, last name, and anything else I bring to the equation. Without You I cannot accomplish it. Therefore, I boast in my weakness. I will complete my assignment. I will press through all the opposition. But it won’t really be me doing it. It will be You Father, and Your amazing grace flowing through me! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
