SEPTEMBER 29

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

                         WHEN I AM WEAK, I AM STRONG

Unanswered prayers usually trouble us. When a great need exists, and a prayer isn’t answered, we become disappointed, doubtful and even angry.

The apostle Paul had a “no” answer to his prayers. He had healed so many sick people but he himself was not healed from a disease. Many bible scholars believe it was an eye disease. Perhaps this was why Paul had people writing his epistles. He recited to them what to write by the Holy Spirit.

Paul had spent his whole life teaching others about Christ. God had answered many of Paul’s prayers. So when Paul prayed that God would make his eyes well, he really expected God to do it, and soon. But Paul did not get well. He prayed again and again. But still he didn’t begin to get well.

Then God told Paul something very special and he wrote it down in the Bible, for anyone who reads the Bible to learn from. The Lord said He would give Paul enough grace to live with his sickness. When Paul felt the weakest, God promised that He would be there to give him strength.

The fact that Paul was sick did not mean that God did not love him. When ‘bad’ things happen to us, it doesn’t mean that God has stopped loving us.God has a purpose for everything that happens to Christians. And Paul knew that his sickness had a purpose — in fact, God became even more real to him and he knew how much he needed God’s help. It also helped Paul know that God still loved him. Paul wrote,

“when I am __________, then am I __________ .” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Thought: What was the purpose of Paul’s sickness?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that everything that happens to me has a good purpose. Help me trust You all the time especially when I am weak. You will give the grace and strength and I will be strong. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.