Wrong Answer?

 

Don't you love it when you read a familiar scripture and see something new? You'd think we hold on so tightly to some of them that we'd squeeze all the juice there is out of them, right? Lol. We know that the Word of God (the Bible) is alive. (Hebrews 4:12) It never changes. But we go through things that help us see it through different perspectives. Our experiences shape how we read, pray, and receive His word. As we grow in faith and in trusting Him, we start seeing even more than we could have imagined.

Take another look at 2 Corinthians 12:9. God reminds Paul that His grace is enough no matter what he was going through. I don't even know how many times I've quoted, read, and used this scripture to get through difficulties. But reading it again today, there was this little thing I hadn't "seen" before even though I've lived in this passage for years.

In verse 7, Paul is talking about his thorn in the flesh. He is praying about it. Probably kinda like we pray about our caregiving. Paul even admits that this thorn is bringing some good results. It's keeping him from getting too prideful because of the revelation he carried and the ministry to the churches that he was called to do. 

Paul says that he'd prayed three times asking God to remove it. He was suffering. Life was hard. Then it was harder. Paul was still praying.

Verse 8 says that he pleaded with God - begged God to take it away. But look at this. Verse 9, And He said to me... God answered Paul. Now, maybe Paul wanted another answer, but God answered him in his suffering. In his pain. In his discomfort and trouble. God said...

I love that about God! He didn't ignore Paul's request. He also didn't answer it like Paul wanted Him to. But He answered. He didn't leave Paul hanging. 

Look how Paul's discourse changed after God told him that His grace is enough.

Paul began to glory in his circumstances because he knew God was there with him. He knew that the struggle in his own heart, body, and life was where God would display His glory. Then, Paul realized that it was his own weaknesses that would reveal the heart and power of God.

Today I will remind myself that even 2000 years later, God's grace is still enough. I'll think about how He reveals His strength in my weakness. My heart will be grateful that He answers me in the storm, in the pain, in the struggles of life. I know He is still with me. He's got me, and He will reveal His glory in these circumstances, even when I cannot see or understand. I will wait for Him to answer my cries with His provision as I trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?

Check out my latest release. Command Your Morning is a 31-day devotional that is focused on taking charge of your soul and day in the morning and trusting God that the rest of the day will follow suit! You can get the eBook from my shop at Buy Me A Coffee. Or the print and Kindle versions are now available in my Amazon Shop.