Show My Weakness
Are they Hebrews? So
am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I.
Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am
more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged
more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received
from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods,
once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in
the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I
have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own
countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the
country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored
and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides
everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly
burn?
If I must
boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of
the Lord Jesus, who is to be praised forever, knows
that I am not lying. In
2
Corinthians 11:22-33
“I am more,” says it
all. Paul lived for Christ and died for Christ.
Been
there. Done that.
Got the T-Shirt. That pretty much sums up the life of
Paul, as a Christian. Can you say the same thing? Paul truly was more, but he
also knew he was the best witness for Jesus when he was weak.
There is a price to
pay for being involved in the struggles of others. Paul struggled for Jesus,
who struggled for us.
Paul realized that
God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Jesus paid the greatest price to be involved in our world, and He strengthens us as
we share His love with others.
If we
obey God’s calling,
He will
provide the needed strength.
Our Daily Bread –