The Apostle Paul, formerly a highly recognized Pharisee, once applauded for his zeal and astute knowledge of Jewish law and tradition, was now ostracized, and beaten by his own countrymen for his faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. How did he manage to keep going? Paul had a revelation. 

 

After pleading with the Lord to remove these persecutions, the Lord told him that His grace was more than enough for him. How so? If Paul would allow it, Christ’s strength would be made perfect in his weakness. The word ‘perfect’ infers being made complete, meaning allowed to run its full course. Paul’s weakness would be transformed to strength. 

Why was this necessary? Because the Lord never intended to remove Paul from his current circumstances, but give him His supernatural strength to withstand them. You see, before the beginning of time, God planned a destiny for Paul’s life, one whose influence would span generations into the future, even to this day. He had a race to finish. Countless future salvations depended on it and millions of Christians around the world would be encouraged and instructed by his words. 

Maybe Paul got a glimpse of the impact his life would have, or maybe not. But one thing he was resolved in – he would rather go through the reproaches, persecutions, and distresses for Christ’s sake, so that God’s will be done and Christ be glorified in his life, rather than wallow in self-pity. In times he would find himself weak, Christ’s supernatural power would revive him and make him strong. How else could he go through being whipped five times with thirty-nine stripes? 

Before Jesus went to the cross, He prayed this prayer to the Heavenly Father, recorded in John 17:15-17, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one …. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” Each of us are born with God’s plan in our hearts. There is still work to be done. Brethren, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love.” (1 Corinthians 16:13,14, NIV) The Lord knows who are His. 

Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You that Your power can be made perfect in my weakness. I confess I have not always trusted You in that, preferring Your power to be made perfect in my strength! Oh, forgive me. I pray that as I make every effort to add to my faith, goodness; to my goodness, knowledge; and to my knowledge, self-control, that my weaknesses would be less and less about sin and more and more about other things. May I be counted worthy to endure suffering for the name of Jesus. Not that I wish to be persecuted, but I would rather be persecuted for righteousness than embarrass my Heavenly Father with sin. May my enemies be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about me. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Not every challenge is to be rebuked like the devil. As you face difficulties of all kinds, stay close to the Heavenly Father in prayer. Lord, what is your purpose in this? Lord, what is your path to - healing, freedom, preparation, completion? Consider that, like Paul, you may face challenges so that others may be blessed and led to the Savior. Are you willing? Thank you, Lord, for grace in times of need.