2 Corinthians 12: 8-10 (NIV)
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Psalm 40: Verse 8 (NKJV)
I delight to do Your will, O my God,
And Your law is within my heart.”
The verses about Paul’s prayer to remove his “thorn in the flesh” and God’s response is well-known and well preached on. What caught my attention today in particular was verse 10 where Paul says in response to God’s reply that he delights in weaknesses, insults, hardships and difficulties for Jesus’ sake because it proves how He helps Paul even in the midst of these circumstances.
To delight means to take great pleasure or satisfaction in something. I know for sure that I don’t take pleasure in difficult circumstances, or in acknowledging my weaknesses. People take to social media to boast about many things, but I am sure that few would write s detailed post boasting of their weaknesses. I realised today that we are meant to boast in the “but God,” element in such circumstances. In other words, we can take pleasure in testifying and showing God’s hand on our lives through it all. That means we have to allow Him to direct and guide us through the circumstances, not necessarily asking Him to take us out of them. That’s the hard part – at least it is for me!
As I was considering these verses, the verse from Psalm 40 came into my mind. It also uses the word “delight” in the King James’ Translation. We all want to take pleasure and satisfaction in doing God’s will, because that in turn, brings great delight and pleasure to God. But that means doing His will wholeheartedly, even if it means exposing our weakness and hardships in order to highlight His grace and support through it all.
Dear Lord,
I know that I can’t say that I wholeheartedly delight in difficulties and trials and indeed sometimes feel very sorry for myself. I do know that I can give thanks and praise for Your presence with me in the midst of them, and that at least is a start. Help me to remember the pleasure and delight we can bring to You when we do Your will in the midst of trials. Help me then to get pleasure and delight in doing Your will. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.