Days of Praise Podcast
Strength Through Weakness
“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.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)
<br ... More...
- Broadcast on:
- 26 Sep 2024
- Audio Format:
- other
Welcome to the Days of Praise podcast, a daily devotional by the Institute for Creation Research. Strength through weakness. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12-10. Here is one of the great paradoxes of the Christian life. How could the Apostle Paul actually find pleasure in being persecuted or reproached, in being placed in distressing situations, and having to endure bodily pain or weakness? There could be no pleasure at all in such things were it not for Christ's sake. Paul was a great man of faith and prayer, and he prayed earnestly that God would remove what he called a thorn in the flesh, evidently some painful infirmity that he felt was hindering his ministry. God answered his prayer, however, by saying, "My grace is sufficient for thee, for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Somehow, one of the most powerful testimonies to the truth of Christianity is given when Christians exhibit patience and joy and fruitfulness in the midst of suffering. Whether that suffering be due to illness, persecution, loss, or any of a hundred situations that could be unbearable apart from Christ. In Paul's case, he said that his thorn could not be removed lest I should be exalted above measure because of the great experiences God had given him as a Christian. "Grace grows best in the winter, and we can testify with a psalmist. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes," Psalm 11971. One thinks, for example, of Fanny Crosby blind since early childhood, yet enabled to write 8,000 beautiful hymns in her 95 years. The struggling church at Philadelphia was assured of an open door because it had little strength and had kept my word and has not denied my name, Revelation 38. It is precisely when we recognize our own weakness in the flesh that we can become strong in Christ. If you've enjoyed today's devotional, be sure to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and please rate and review so more listeners can find us. To support ICR's ministry, visit icr.org/donate. Your gift of any amount helps us reach others with biblical truth and encouragement. Thanks for listening, we hope you'll start each day with day's praise.