Power Applied to Weakness

Because of the extraordinary greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep
me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of
Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded
with the Lord three times that it might leave me.
2 Corinthians 12:7–8 NASB

Another biblical example of the work of the Holy Spirit also involves Paul. In times of great sorrow and pain, the Spirit ministers grace to us. Tucked away in the first few verses of 2 Corinthians 12 is a classic example of God’s ministry in the midst of human misery.

Paul admits to having a thorn in the flesh—probably some physical ailment that brought excruciating, unrelenting pain. And so, naturally, he asked the Lord to bring relief . . . but relief didn’t come. On three separate occasions he prayed that God would take away the pain. All three times the answer was the same. “No.” But then God communicated something to Paul’s inner spirit that brought him an enormous sense of relief. I call this message another of the Spirit’s “inner promptings.” And what was it that God made known to Paul in his pain?

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NASB)

Grace. The God of all grace ministered grace to His hurting servant. Grace to endure. Grace to handle the pain. Grace to face the future. Grace to accept God’s no. What a profound impact that had on the man!

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10 NASB)

I write from firsthand experience in this matter. I can’t tell you the number of times God’s power has been perfected and revealed in my own weakness. Some messages that I have delivered in times of enormous weakness and inadequacy in my own life have been messages most blessed of God. I struggled through them, didn’t feel like anybody would even want to listen, and couldn’t wait to get out of the places where I was teaching or preaching because of my own disappointment or struggle at the time. But later I heard response after response telling how God had used those words in the lives of listeners.

When the Spirit of the Lord ministers grace, He prompts within us an unusual measure of divine strength. Somehow, in the mystery of His plan, He turns our pain into a platform upon which He does some of His best work. You can trust Him to do that for you too.