Verse of the Day 7/26

Verse of the Day 7/26

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version

9 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.

Our Tuesday Men's Bible study reviewed 2 Corinthians 12 and today's verse is one of the key verses in the chapter.  We are probably familiar with many of the trials and challenges that Paul had faced in his life, beatiings with whips; being stoned and left for dead; shipwreck at sea; being falsely accused and standing trial on trumped up charges.  He prayed to God to have a "thorn in his side" taken away and God said no. The important thing here is that God's answer didn't end there, instead God told him, "my grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness."

What would Paul's life have been without those things?  Through faith, God made him stronger by them.  He is an example because of them and he was able to persevere because of what God did in, through and after those trials.  Looking back Paul could see how God was with him through it all.

Looking back at our own lives, as we age and go through trials we can step back and see our lives as a tapestry,

Grant Tuller writes,

My life is but a weaving between my God and me

I do not choose the colors; He worketh steadily.

Oft times He weaveth sorrow, and I in foolish pride

Forget He sees the upper-, and I the under-side.

Not till the loom is silent and the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unroll the canvas and explain the reasons why

The dark threads are as needful in a skillful weaver's hand

As the threads of gold and silver, in the pattern he has planned.

If today is the best day of your life, it won't last. Tonight might be an inch short of hopeless; it won't last either. Whatever has brought you to this moment is only part of the story of your life and relationship. The rest is yet to come. Put all of it—dark thorns and shining threads—into God's hands, and he will sustain you.  —Wayne Brouwer

Our trials are threads in the tapestry.  One day we'll see how God was using it to complete His work in us.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

English Standard Version

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a]

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ESV - - Bible Gateway

 a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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. 10 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.