God has been teaching me a lot about His grace
recently, and I knew He had something wonderful in store for me today when I
woke up to a text of a Bible verse, reading:
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 Corinthians 12:9-10
I decided to study out these verses for my devotions this
morning, as this has always been a favorite passage of scripture and always a
great reminder that feeling weak and empty isn't always a bad thing. When we
focus on Christ and His strength in the midst of our weakness, I believe that's
the best place to be! I'd even go as far as saying it's my favorite place to
be.
But anyways, as I was studying these verses, I read Matthew
Henry's commentary on them. I love the way he explains them and talks about
them, so here it is below (I bolded a couple parts that were really
significant to me.) Please read and marvel on the wonders of His grace!
"We have an account of the answer given to the apostle’s
prayer, that, although the trouble was not removed, yet an equivalent should be
granted: My grace is sufficient for thee.
Note, (1.) Though God accepts the prayer of faith, yet he
does not always answer it in the letter; as he sometimes grants in wrath, so he
sometimes denies in love. (2.) When God does not remove our troubles and
temptations, yet, if he gives
us grace sufficient for us, we have no reason to complain, nor to say that
he deals ill by us. It is a great comfort to us, whatever thorns in the flesh
we are pained with, that God’s grace is sufficient for us.
Grace signifies two things:—[1.] The good-will of God towards
us, and this is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen
and comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all
afflictions and distresses. [2.] The good work of God in us, the grace we
receive from the fullness that is in Christ our head; and from him there shall
be communicated that which is suitable and seasonable, and sufficient for his
members. Christ Jesus understands our case, and knows our need, and will
proportion the remedy to our malady, and not only strengthen us, but
glorify himself.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Thus his grace is manifested and magnified; he ordains his praise out of the
mouths of babes and sucklings.
III. Here is the use which the
apostle makes of this dispensation: He gloried in his infirmities (2 Cor. 12:9),
and took pleasure in them, 2 Cor. 12:10.
He does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we have reason to be ashamed of
and grieved at), but he means his afflictions, his reproaches, necessities,
persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake, 2 Cor. 12:10.
And the reason of his glory and joy on account of these things was this—they
were fair opportunities for Christ to manifest the power and sufficiency of his
grace resting upon him, by which he had so much experience of the strength of
divine grace that he could say, When I am weak, then am I strong.
This is a Christian paradox: when
we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go out of ourselves to
Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from him, and experience most of
the supplies of divine strength and grace."
