September 15, 2019
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. The blessed word that God has given for you today, is from the book of 2 Corinthians 12:9 , “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
My Dear Brothers and Sisters from the above context we realize that Apostle Paul was given a thorn in the flesh. Concerning this thing he pleaded to the Lord three times, that it might depart from him. But the Lord said to him, “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 Paul takes pleasure in his infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distress for Christ’s sake. He says, “For when I am weak then I am strong.” From this passage we understand, that Paul was glad, because there was weakness in his body. For only when he was weak, he could experience the power of God. And he was rejoicing over his weakness.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, how many of you can say, that you are glad in your weakness? Only when you are weak, you need to be strong and of good cheer. If you behave cowardly at that moment of time, then satan will entice you in such a way, and spoil your harmony, and cause you to blaspheme God’s name. So you need to be cautious at such times. Don’t give up hope. Only God gives strength at that particular time for His children.
My Dear Brothers and Sisters, Sometimes we might go through a loss in our life. At that time we need to strengthen ourselves in God. We cannot question God’s authority over the loss occurred, or blame him as to why he allowed such a thing in our life? Because when God brings about a loss in our life, then He has also the capacity to change our sorrows into joy. As it is a trivial thing for the Lord to do, both to those who have power and those who are powerless. That’s why Paul says, “ I am rejoicing in my weakness.” When Job was going through a period of trial, he did not blame God, instead he said, “God gave and God has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord”. He knew very well that it is God who gives and hence God has the right to take away. That’s why Job was able to say, “Though He slay me yet will I trust in Him. I will maintain mine own ways before Him. He shall be my salvation.”Once a brother came to meet me. He said, “Brother, I have lost my job, my name, my fame, everything. But still I am happy. ” I asked him how he could be happy after, losing everything. He said, “I took hold of Jesus Christ, so I am happy.” He said that when he had everything Jesus was not with him. But now having lost everything, he got hold of Jesus. He said, that it was an opportunity for him to get hold of Jesus Christ in his life. Loss in life draws one close to Christ, to inherit His blessings. Halleluiah ! I prayed for that brother. The Lord has now blessed him abundantly and exalted him. He who had lost his job, with a salary of fifty thousand is now placed with a salary of One and a half lakh in Arabia. Since He held on to Jesus, God exalted him. God will exalt you also if you hold on to Jesus. Have faith in God, He will bless you and exalt you. He will change your sorrow into joy. Your mourning into dancing. God bless you.
Prayer:
Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Thank You Lord for teaching us to hold on to Jesus. Help us to approach God in times of affliction and not to run after worldly vices. Let not the things of this world blind our eyes to the reality of life. Teach us to be like Job, who gave priority to God and had great faith in the Almighty. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
