POWER IN WEAKNESS

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Morning Meditation 5/29/2013

"It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

The personal experiences of the apostle, as recorded in those verses, are deep with significance for all who are persistently staggering after his example. Let's notice--

A NEW RELATIONSHIP

"He was caught up, and heard unspeakable words" (vs 4). The words "caught up" translate "harpazo" and mean, "to seize, carry off by force; to snatch out or away." This is the same word as is found in 1 Thess. 4:17 where the rapture is spoken of.

Acts 8:39 uses this word: "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing."

Paul had had many revelations from the Lord. The Lord gave him a special view of Paradise. If fact, he didn't just see Paradise, he was caught up into Paradise. This experience was for Paul alone. It was fourteen years before he spoke of it. Paul was not caught up into Paradise because of his own righteousness as if he deserved this experience more than others. Philippians 3:8-9, "Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:" Paul was an humble man. It is seen in all his writings. He was not only a humble man, he was a dependable man. If God did not allow him to talk of this experience that he had on this occasion, Paul could be depended on to keep it to himself until God released him to tell this story. Let's look next at--

A NEW TRIAL

Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:7, "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure."

The new revelation gave Paul a problem and the Lord chose to take care of Paul's problem with what he calls, "a thorn in the flesh." He also calls this thorn "a messenger of Satan to buffet me. . ." The word "buffet" translates "kolaphizo" and means, "to strike with the fist, give one a blow with the fist." This buffeting caused the Apostle pain. He prayed for its removal and the Lord answered in verses 8-9, "For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

The thorn remained to buffet Paul the rest of his life on earth. Let's look next at--

A NEW PROMISE

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." God's grace is an enabling truth. It sustains in a way that the pain does not win out.

We also have the promise of enabling grace. We have not had the revelations that Paul had but there are other things that we have that may need the application of the thorn to keep pride down. Next let's look at--

A NEW SOURCE OF GLADNESS

Paul's response to God's Word was, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Paul wanted power more than the relief from pain. Paul comes out of this praising God for his infirmities.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White