Strengthening Exercise: Walk Daily

...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:9

I remember the year this verse became permanently embedded in my faith. I was in my thirty’s and was called to lead a ministry that required time, skill, and wisdom I didn’t have. Frankly, I couldn’t understand why God had chosen me for the position. Throughout the year difficulty after difficulty surfaced. In my weakness, I remained bowed spiritually and often physically.

The apostle Paul spoke of his weakness in 2 Corinthians 12. A “thorn in his flesh” tormented him. He asked that the thorn be removed, but it wasn’t. Instead, Jesus promised Paul that in his weakness, he would experience God’s perfect power. Paul had to first acknowledge his own weakness, so he could personally know and experience God’s perfect or complete power.

I learned that same lesson. Acknowledging my own weakness kept me dependent upon the Lord. (That’s a good place to be, right?) I came to understand my responsibility was to continue the work God had given me to do, while daily walking in faith. Step by step, I was to trust that He would equip me to do His work.

At the end of my first year of ministry, I was asked what stood out to me. My answer was, “God’s power.” In my weakness, I had experienced God’s perfect power. God had powerfully stretched my time, imparted His wisdom, and equipped me to do His work.

Are you attempting to do God’s work in your own strength and, therefore, missing out on experiencing His perfect power?

Perhaps you have acknowledged to God, “I can’t do this.” Great! In your weakness, God delights in taking over and doing His glorious work in such a powerful way that all can see it is Him and not you. Then, God Himself receives all the glory!

Lord, keep us fully dependent upon you. In our weakness, demonstrate your power, so you are exalted.

Jan Burkhart