by Elizabeth Haarberg

God’s Will in Our Weakness

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“But he 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9

I’ve heard many people quote the first part of the verse above, ‘My grace is sufficient for you,’ but few finish the rest of the message on power.

Most people do not flaunt their weaknesses. Not many are willing to be transparent enough to show weak spots. However, brokenness provides an opportunity for God to reach us. Think about the times death, illness, and struggles have intercepted our routine and how weak and helpless we feel.

The Lords Prayer says ‘on Earth as it is in Heaven’. Meditate on this. It isn’t just some formal saying we repeat in church.

God is stating that He will pour out His power on us in our weakness so we can bring God (and heaven) to Earth. It’s in our weakness and humbled hearts that He can use us as vessels. He’s not looking for people that can do it all without Him. This is real for me because for most of my life I was one of those people. The good news is God is patient.

The Holy Spirit is in us for a purpose and a reason, to bring healing and wholeness to the world like Jesus did. Love fills our thirsty places and overflows from us to reach the world. He wants to invade the weak spots in our minds, bodies and souls and take over so He can move through and capture souls for Him.

How do we do this? Fortunately, God provides a multitude of ways to reach him in our weakness: Communion, prayer, the Word, music, and more. Start by getting to know Him.

The caveat to seeking power is…you don’t. Love is the lead in the list of attributes we should desire from God. Power is the by-product of His divine love. But power should not be ignored in the equation.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”
Psalm 34:8

The reason God’s power is poured out into the world is so people can taste and see that the Lord is good.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado