2 Corinthians 12:7b-10 (NRSV)
Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.”
So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.
Looking back over the texts from this week, I see a particular word that resonates through all of them:
Grace.
We started with the call of Isaiah, who became keenly aware of his own unworthiness to be in God’s presence. How does God respond?
“Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: ‘Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out.’” (Isaiah 6:6-7, NRSV)
Then in our psalm from the week, these words:
“For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve me against the wrath of my enemies; you stretch out your hand, and your right hand delivers me.” (Psalm 138:6-7, NRSV)
In 1 Corinthians 15 the Apostle Paul also struggles with a sense of unworthiness, but becomes a recipient of mercy from God in response:
“For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them--though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Cor. 15:9-10, NRSV)
And then in Luke, when Jesus calls the fishermen to follow him, Simon Peter also becomes acutely aware that he is sinful and undeserving. Jesus offers him mercy and grace as well:
“But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, ‘Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!’ For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who are partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.’” (Luke 5:8-10, NRSV)
In each of these passages we see how God reaches out to the lowly, the unworthy, and the sinful and extends a merciful touch that transforms them and lifts them up. In each case it’s not just that their sin is forgiven—they are changed and become something they weren’t before. They become God’s chosen servants.
The world looks at weakness and that’s all it sees. God looks at our weakness and sees a place for him to begin his work. The key is that we acknowledge our need. The Apostle Paul understood this well. How thankful I am that he recorded his own testimony of receiving God’s grace and strength, telling us what God declared to him:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12: 9, NIV)
That’s what grace does. It takes the weak and makes them strong. It takes the guilty and pronounces them forgiven. It heals. It cleans. It transforms.
For today we offer three songs reminding us of God’s grace in our weakness. As our Song Reflections run only Monday through Friday, you may wish to use one a day into the weekend, or you may wish to sit in an extended time of worship and prayer. For your reflection, simply read and pray through the lyrics of each song and reflect on these questions:
What lyrics and words resonate most with your soul right now?
How does that lead you to prayer?
However you make use of these songs and prayers, may God show you his transforming grace as you spend time with him.
Song: “Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace)” by Hillsong
LYRICS
All these pieces
Broken and scattered
In mercy gathered
Mended and whole
Empty handed
But not forsaken
I've been set free
I've been set free
Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost
But now I am found
Was blind but now I see
Oh I can see You now
Oh I can see the love in Your eyes
Laying Yourself down
Raising up the broken to life
You take our failure
You take our weakness
You set Your treasure
In jars of clay
So take this heart, Lord
I'll be Your vessel
The world to see
Your life in me
Song: “Who Am I?” by Casting Crowns
LYRICS
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt?
Who am I, that the bright and morning star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again?
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me?
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours
I am Yours
I am Yours
Whom shall I fear, whom shall I fear?
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours
Song: “Grace” by Laura Story
LYRICS
My heart is so proud,
My eyes are so unfocused.
I see the things You do through me
As great things I have done.
And now You gently break me,
And I cry just like a baby.
You hold me as my Father,
And mold me as my Maker.
I ask You: “How many times will You pick me up,
When I keep on letting You down
And each time I will fall short of Your glory,
How far will forgiveness abound?”
And You answer: “My child, I love you.
And as long as you’re seeking My face,
You’ll walk in the power of My daily sufficient grace.”
At times I may grow weak,
And feel a bit discouraged.
Knowing that someone, somewhere,
Could do a better job.
For who I am to serve You?
I know I don’t deserve You.
And that’s the part that burns in my heart
And keeps me hanging on.
...You are so patient with me, Lord...
As I walk with You,
I'm learning,
What Your grace really means:
How all of my transgressions
were paid at Calvary.
So instead of trying to repay you,
I’m learning to simply obey You
By giving up my life to You,
For all that You’ve given to me.