Today we continue our new series entitled, “Press through it!”
For days we have been looking at the following passage. Let’s go back to it this morning. The Apostle Paul 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)
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Humility is the key to supernatural success. The Apostle Paul wrote over half the New Testament. He went on five missionary journeys. He evangelized most of Asia Minor. He started churches everywhere he went. He served as a Pastor to Pastors. Without question, God used Paul to leave an indelible mark in this world. And when you consider all the challenges he had to endure along the way (prison, beatings, flogging, persecution, and multiple shipwrecks), you would think that Paul had something to boast about. Paul overcame things that would have have crippled the average person, but Paul kept going. Paul knew that the only reason he was able to do what he did was God. Without God he would never have been able to do it. Which is why he said, “If I must boast, I would rather boast about the things that show how weak I am.” The humility in this statement is amazing. This is the type of humility we should all strive towards. If we are humble enough to acknowledge the fact that we are not good enough to do what God has called us to do, then there is nothing God won’t be able to do through us! God strength is only manifested in our weakness.
2. Your God-given assignment is too big for you to accomplish without God. God-sized dreams always require God’s involvement. God calls you to do things that are so big that they force you to rely on Him.
3. God wants maximum glory. Our God is a jealous God. He does not mind you enjoying the benefits of walking with Him, but He does mind if you attempt to take His glory! Never take credit for something God clearly did for you or through you. When you know you could not have done it without God, SAY SO! Testify. Give Him the glory! If you give Him the glory, He will continue to bless you richly, so you can continue to give Him more glory.
4. You cannot complete your divine purpose without divine grace. Paul’s assignment was so big that he was clearly reliant on God’s grace. You and I must live the same way. The only way to maximize your purpose and potential in life is by dying to self. Once you are out of the way, God can have His way in, with and through your life!
5. When you know you are nothing without God, you get to boast in how weak you are. Paul was the greatest Man of God of his time. He made the greatest Kingdom impact of his day. But instead of boasting in his accomplishments, Paul chose to boast in his weakness. Paul’s point was that he was nothing without God. Paul was able to do all he did, not because he was good enough, but because he knew he was not. Since he knew he was not good enough, he did not even try. He put the spotlight on God. He allowed God to, through him, what he could not have accomplished as a mere human.
6. There is an amazing freedom in embracing your weakness. I already know I’m not good enough. I am convinced that I could never do what God has called me to do without Him. I don’t claim to be perfect. I don’t put up a facade of personal greatness. I know I am nothing without God and embracing that truth is truly liberating. So now, when satan tells me I am not good enough, I say, “You’re right! But God chooses to use me anyway!” I know I’m not worthy of the assignment. I know I’m not smart enough, strong enough, or talented enough. But none of those things matter, because I am not the one doing it. The only ability God is looking for from me is availability. I put my life in His hands, and once I do, there is NOTHING He can’t do through me. This is how I perform the supernatural. This is how I am going to complete my divine assignment. This is how I am going to change the world. Because it’s not me. It’s God. And I’m okay with the fact that I could not do what God has chosen to do through me. I can’t, but He can, and He will. I boast in my weakness, because that is my true strength!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I am nothing without You. But with You, I can do all things. I am not worthy of Your call. I could never be good enough or righteous enough to measure up to the holiness You have called me to walk in. But Jesus was righteousness for me. He put on my sin, so I can put on His righteousness. Jesus makes me holy. I am not smart enough to do what You have called me to do. But You give me wisdom that exceeds my education and experience. I don’t have the money to do what You have called me ot do, but You stored up the resources for me, before the world began. In short, I am nothing without You, but I am everything with You. I boast in my weakness. When I am weak, You make me strong! My life is All About You! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
