2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Context: 2 Corinthians 12:7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 2 Corinthians 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
From the lexicon: Grace=favor. Sufficient=enough. Strength=power. Made perfect=completed. Weakness=frailty. Glory=boast. Rest=tent upon.
Pulling it together. Paul had many revelations from God as well as much training in the law. He admits in these verses that he well would have become prideful except for God’s intervention. His loving heavenly Father gave him a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble. What exactly this was we do not know except it troubled him immensely. Three times he asked God to remove it and God gave this answer: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, God gives us what we need, when we need it to accomplish what He has called us to do. His power is made complete–in full effect, when we depend on Him rather than our own strengths which are truly weaknesses that hinder rather than aid our spiritual progress.
Paul completes the thought: Therefore, will I glory in–boast–embrace, my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon–cover me like a tent so I dwell according to His grace.
Lord, I pray for Your grace to trust You for Your power to overcome all circumstances in my life.