Get Rid of It!?
Brad Reiches
Sep 8 2006 12:08AM
Brad Reiches
Sep 8 2006 12:08AM
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Friday, September 8, 2006
GodThoughtsWired!
GodThoughtsWired!
"GET RID OF IT!?"
"I have learned to be content
in whatever circumstances I am."
"I have learned to be content
in whatever circumstances I am."
Philippians 4:11
If someone were to ask me over the past six-ish weeks, "How are you doing, Pastor Brad?" My sincere response would be something along the lines of, "honestly, it couldn't be much better?" And then if that same somebody were to ask a second question, "Oh, and how's your back?" I would have probably declared, "To be honest, it's the worst its ever been.* It hurts constantly and the pain is getting worse."
Now, if that same someone hung around for a final question they might ask, "If your back is that bad, how is it that you 'couldn't be much better?'" And I would have to say, "You know, that's a really good question! I'm a bit perplexed by the seeming contradiction as well. However, here's what I think I know; I'm sensing the Lord's presence more strongly than I ever have; I'm hearing the voice of God with greater clarity than ever before; and I'm seeing the hand of God more consistently than I've ever experienced. MY BEST GUESS IS:
Now, if that same someone hung around for a final question they might ask, "If your back is that bad, how is it that you 'couldn't be much better?'" And I would have to say, "You know, that's a really good question! I'm a bit perplexed by the seeming contradiction as well. However, here's what I think I know; I'm sensing the Lord's presence more strongly than I ever have; I'm hearing the voice of God with greater clarity than ever before; and I'm seeing the hand of God more consistently than I've ever experienced. MY BEST GUESS IS:
GOD'S POWER IS BEING PERFECTED
IN MY WEAKNESS.
IN MY WEAKNESS.
When God GAVE! Paul what he called "a thorn in the flesh" (see 2 Corinthians 12:7) his initial response was to ask God to GET RID OF IT! So bad, and/or troubling, and/or painful was this "thorn in the flesh" that Paul cried out THREE DIFFERENT TIMES! for God to GET RID OF IT!
So, did God answer Pauls prayer? YES! YES He did! However, it was a different response than Paul would have ever imagined. God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9a). And once Paul got this clarification...HE REJOICED! He said, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9b).
So, in review. "How am I doing?" I couldn't be better because I'm experiencing the power of God more profoundly than I've ever known. And, apparently, it is the weakness of my physical condition that God is using to "perfect"** His power in me. So, if indeed, it is my "bad back" that is the source of my increased experience of God's power, well then, just as Paul responded, "I am well content...for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
*I'll be going in for back surgery on September 21st.
So, did God answer Pauls prayer? YES! YES He did! However, it was a different response than Paul would have ever imagined. God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in your weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9a). And once Paul got this clarification...HE REJOICED! He said, "Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me" (2 Corinthians 12:9b).
So, in review. "How am I doing?" I couldn't be better because I'm experiencing the power of God more profoundly than I've ever known. And, apparently, it is the weakness of my physical condition that God is using to "perfect"** His power in me. So, if indeed, it is my "bad back" that is the source of my increased experience of God's power, well then, just as Paul responded, "I am well content...for when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
*I'll be going in for back surgery on September 21st.
**the term "perfect" that the word of God is using here, is best understood, and rightly translated as "mature."
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