And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  — 2 Corinthians 12:

I’m always amazed at how God teaches me things.  I knew this verse as far as memorizing it, but until now it has never really meant anything to me.  You see, this past week, I had some things happen.  For one, I knew all week that I was going to be filling in for one of my friends and preaching at his church.  Every time I know I’m going to preach; I do my best to spend as much time with God and in His Word as I can.  The picture I have in my head is of Moses going up on the mountain to be with God.  In a similar way, I want my face shining.  I want God’s power to rub off onto me as much as possible so that His people might really experience Him in power.  

Well, it didn’t work out like that this past week.  Every time I went to be alone with God, I found anything and everything else to do.  I had my Bibles, I had my Bible software and study materials, but I didn’t really open them.  Time would zip by and before I knew it, it was time to head off to work . . . and I had done nothing to strengthen me for the day, and I had nothing to preach.

Late in the week, God used me in my piddling.  While I was on social media (when I was supposedly going to spend time with God) I felt guilty for being so weak minded all week.  Right before I was about to click off, I saw this post from this boastful guy.  I struck up a conversation with him . . . to make a long story short, God ended up using me to witness to Him, and to others. 

As soon as that conversation was over, I hit my knees and immediately connected with God.  This verse was the only thing that came to my mind over and over.  “Wow, God!  You used me in my weakness!” was all I could think to say.  One more time, He allowed that sweet, sweet presence to surround me.  One more time, I just poured myself out telling Him just how awesome of a God He is. 

Even after that, I did almost no Bible study to prepare for Sunday.  When I thought about how I needed to go and study, I simply said, “When I am weak, He is strong.”  I did think of some things to say.  I thought of how Peter denied the Lord.  I thought of how that needed to happen.  He had just boasted that “I will never forsake You, Lord!  Even if all these others do.”  Not exactly words of weakness.  Once he realized that he couldn’t back those words up, Peter became quite useful to God’s kingdom.  I also thought of how David needed to go through all that with Bathsheba.  He had regressed so far from being the boy who trusted God so much that he wasn’t afraid of the giant.  God used David’s weakness to bring him to a place where he would say, “Lord, will you create in me a clean heart again?”  

Lord, You are amazing!  Thank You for bringing me down so many notches this past week.  Thank You for teaching me concepts in Your Word in ways that I will never forget.  In my mind, I have thought that I was so necessary for Your kingdom.  The truth is, You simply allow me to be a part of it.  Help me to learn to rely upon You more.  Help me to learn that when I am weak, Your strength is truly made perfect in me.  Forgive me, Lord.  Make me more like You and create in me a clean heart.  Amen.