August 22nd | 2 Corinthians 12

Have you ever wanted something so bad that you prayed fervently for God to answer that prayer?

I remember being on a mission trip in Africa. We were right below the Sahara Desert, and we were helping villagers farm. Every morning, we would wake up and go out to the fields to help them work. Let me tell you, it was definitely work! Triple-digit temperatures, handmade tools, back-breaking farming. I can honestly say I’ve never been so tired in my life!

On our trip, I had brought supplies from America. I had brought oatmeal chewy bars. Every day before we went out to work, I would pack my water bottle and a chewy bar. When we took our break from farming, I would sit down for a few minutes and enjoy some lukewarm water, and the highlight, that amazing chewy bar! 

Well, one day out in the field I was working when terror went through my heart… I had forgotten to pack the chewy bar! My breaktime would consist of lukewarm water and thoughts of that delicious chewy bar. Instead of accepting my fate, a thought came to my mind, “I’m going to pray and ask God to provide a chewy bar in my bag!” 

I knew I hadn’t packed this delicious treat, but as I began to pray, I began to believe. “Lord, I’ve come on this mission trip to serve you. I know you are powerful, I believe you can give me this chewy bar!” 

The time of our break finally came, and I walked confidently to my bag, unzipped it with joyful expectation, and to my surprise… it was EMPTY! God had not answered my prayer and had not given me the chewy bar I so desperately desired. 

When God didn’t answer, I had to ask why. Well, for one, God revealed that it was an incredibly selfish prayer because my African brothers never had such a treat and were able to work twice as hard as I did. God humbled me with this thought, but then another thought came to my mind. I was craving that chewy bar to sustain me for the rest of the day, but how much more should I have been praying that Christ would sustain me?

Paul prayed that this affliction in the flesh would be removed. Three times he pleaded, but God didn’t remove it. Why? Jesus Christ answered him and said, 

2 Corinthians 12:9 “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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.” 

Today, what have you been praying for? More money? Rescue from some illness? Restoration in your relationships? There are many things we pray for, but when God doesn’t answer, is Jesus still enough? Could you even boast in that weakness and insufficiency because you know Christ could be glorified in your dependence on him?

Today, become weak so Christ can be strong for you. Pray that God would reveal your weakness and ask that Christ would be sufficiently strong for any situation you will face in this life!