Why did God say to Paul in 2 Cor 12:9 "my strength is made perfect inweakness"?
Paul had a physical problem
that was at odds with his dynamic
personality and his drive to
accomplish things he wanted to
accomplish for the Lord. Many
believe that Paul's "thorn in the
flesh" was a vision problem that had
been caused by his Damascus Road
conversion experience. Paul,
however, seemed to sense strongly
that his ongoing problem was
aggravated by one of Satan's demons
sent to "buffet him."
Still, God assured Paul that the
apostle's weakness allowed the Lord
to use him in His service to the
maximum extent. Somehow, the
heavenly Father turned the apostle's
"weakness" into a tremendous
strength. Paul realized that his
infirmity kept him humble before the
Lord and his fellow man. Foolish
pride of self-achievement was thus
eliminated. He depended totally on
the Lord, and God did not let him
down.
God's Word tells His children to
"Humble yourselves therefore under
the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt you in due time"(1 Peter 5:6).
Paul could say, "Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my
infirmities, that the power of
Christ may rest upon me" (2
Corinthians 12:9).
The apostle Paul further stated:
"I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me" (Philippians
4:13). Paul's experience was
recorded in God's Word, in part, to
show God's children that it is God
who gives true strength of Christian
character. God takes the lowly and
meek. He discriminates against no
one.
