Golden Nugget: “But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’”

Daily Verse: “But [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9

Daily Message:
The apostle Paul has been called “the greatest Christian who ever lived.” God inspired him to write thirteen books in the Bible. And his spiritual conversion was dramatic—a murderer turned missionary! His dramatic change, however, didn’t make his life perfect.
Today’s verse reflects a limitation of some sort in Paul’s life that was just plain messy. Two verses earlier, in 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul refers to “a thorn in [his] flesh.” Though he doesn’t identify what it is, it sounds painful. We know that it must have been, because Paul asked God three times to take it away. But God said no. 

God doesn’t live in a neat little glass case that we can break open in case of an emergency of pain or weakness. But God’s denial of Paul’s request was more than a reminder of this—it was even a good thing. Through God’s refusal, Paul learned that God was most powerful when he himself was weakest. 

The same is true for us today. Our places of weakness are exactly where God can be his strongest. Our greatest challenges or disappointments can be the beginnings of a God-powered life.

Consider This: 

• What limitation(s) in your life do you wish God would take away?
• What role has prayer played in your life concerning the thorn in your flesh?
• How can this verse help you grow, even if God does not take away the problem?

Take Action:
Post this verse in a place where you can see it often. Talk to God about your limitation(s). Ask him to either take them away or help you experience his grace and power in a deeper way. Look for a follower of Jesus Christ who may have experienced similar disappointments and can be a source of support.