And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10, NKJV.
Merciful God, as we come before You today, we ask that we will learn to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves, so that the greatness and power of Your grace will be seen, and felt, in us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
For the past three days we have been talking about time. Yesterday, and the day before, we saw how God is with us even in the bad times. Today, we will look at the difference that God’s grace can make in our lives, when we are facing bad times.
Many people look at Paul as a rather boastful individual. And it is obvious that before he met Jesus, he was. In our Scripture for today, he is actually acknowledging the necessity of the humbling process in his life. I would describe what Paul went through as a journey in humility. God literally threw him off of his “high horse” at the beginning of the journey (see Acts 9). Many of us are going through some rather trying financial times. Perhaps some were riding too high – higher than their finances could afford, and to them, their situation seem rather gloomy, but the truth is, if we can learn to be financially wise, we could come through this economic trial better and wiser people than when we went in.
From every one of the “bad times” that we looked at, there is a good side. “A time to die” to self, can be a true blessing. When we die to our desires, our wants, our way – and we begin to think of others, and their needs, many relationships could be healed, and so could our finances. “A time to hate” sin, could produce some great revivals in our churches; because when we begin to hate sin, the love of right doing will take its place, by the grace of God. “A time to tear” ourselves away from the things of this world, will help us to make a way for the righteousness of Christ to dwell in our lives.
“A time of war” will encourage us to put on “the whole armor of God,” as we wrestle “against principalities and powers,” and spiritual forces of evil “in high places,” instead of each other. “A time to kill” our lower natures, so that like Paul, we can say, it is “not I, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2: 20). “A time to throw away” questionable literature, and fill our minds with, “whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4: 8).
“A time to cast away” “the works of darkness” will allow us to “put on the armor of light,” (Romans 13: 12), and “walk as He [Christ] walked” (1 John 2: 6). There will come, “A time to lose” our lives for Christ’s sake, that we may find real life in Christ. “A time to break down” “every idol, [and] cast out every foe;” then allow Christ to “wash” us and make us, “whiter than snow” (James Nicholson). Then watch how the walls of prejudice, misunderstanding, and pride, will also be broken down in our homes, in our churches, and in society.
Finally will come, “A time to weep” and “A time to mourn” over the sins that seek to separate us from the Savior, and from each other. When these bad times have done their work in us, we will then begin to experience the good times that His grace produces.
May God enable us to allow the bad times, to do their good work, in us!