To Paul was committed the greatest revelation of all time. He was divinely commissioned to proclaim the glorious all-sufficiency of Christβs redemptive work. He made known Godβs offer of salvation by free grace to all who trust in Christ, along with their heavenly position, blessings and prospect in Christ.
Lest he should become puffed up by the glory of these great truths, God gave him what he called βa thorn in the flesh,β an aggravating physical infirmity of some sort. βFor this thing,β he says, βI besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from meβ (II Cor. 12:8). But the Lord knew better than Paul what was good for him:
βAnd He said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weaknessβ (II Cor. 12:9).
How right God was! Every Christian knows that with brimming health and βgood fortuneβ comes the tendency to forget our need of Him, while infirmity causes us to lean harder and to pray more, and this is where our spiritual power lies. Every believer should acknowledge this and say with Paul:
βMost gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmitiesβ¦ for when I am weak, then am I strongβ (II Cor. 12:9,10).
Infirmities of the flesh are common even among Godβs choicest saints. What satisfaction there is, then, in resting upon Godβs Word: βMy grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.β source
[β¦] Thereβs just something about afflictions that draw us closer to God! No wonder Paul said, βwe glory in tribulationsβ (Rom. 5:3), βknowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hopeβ (Rom. 5:4). Once we learn Godβs grace is sufficient for all our needs, we can say with Paul: [β¦]