2 Corinthians 12:9
2 Corinthians 12:9 New King James Version (NKJV)
9 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.
Had a friend post this today – this is one of my favorites. Even with our favorites, we learn new things every time we study it. This year has been a year to learn about grace – so many verses to which I’ve been drawn have had a section on grace – charis. Grace is a word that is used so often, that sometimes I don’t stop to feel it’s impact. So this year has been a lot of learning – re-appreciating grace. My prayer is that 2020 is the year of Charis.
What is grace? Lots of sayings about grace. This year has been hard on my heart, I need a deeper grasp of grace. So, here we go:
grace – charis means graciousness, of manner or act (esp the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; incl gratitude); – grace, favour, thanks, pleasure, acceptable, benefit, gift, gracious, joy liberality.
1) grace indicates favor on the part of the giver, thanks on the part of the receiver.
In fact, charis, grace, is a sister to chara – joy, delight, gladness. These sisters are rooted in chairo – rejoice.
Sufficient – arkeo, a verb – related to the idea of raising a barrier; to ward off; to avail, be content, be sufficient, be enough. As a verb, arkeo primarily signifies to be sufficient, to be possessed of sufficient strength, to be strong, to be enough for a thing; hence to defend, ward off.
That very grace, God’s favor, that I read over lightly instead of diving into, is my strength, my barrier against evil…
Then I read the next sentence, “My strength is made perfect in weakness…”
strength – dunamis – miraculous power
perfect – teleioo –to complete, accomplished, consummated, perfected
in weakness – literally “lacking strength, weakness, infirmity”
2020 – as I reflect on this verse, I pray that this verse would be reflected in me. oh how I pray that the sisters: God’s favor and joy/delight reign over 2020, that my heart would rejoice in Him. I recognized long ago that I have no strength, that I am utterly powerless and weak, apart from that strength of God, and I pray that God’s strength, His miraculous strength, would accomplish mightily this year.
I return to grace… the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life… oh how I pray to reflect clearly that grace, that favor, that miraculous power that God pours into my weakness to accomplish that which He brings into my life.
I have hit the end of 2019 hanging on on tightly to Jesus… but I know that soon I will need to start moving my feets and hands to be about His business. Soon. But for now, I am seeking His rest and refilling.
Like the snow blankets the earth and the old from last year becomes a part of the earth while new growth for spring slowly takes root, I am letting go of the old stuff and seeing what growth God will bring in the new season… after the season of rest.