My power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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.

This is not the way of the world; the world encourages us to seek greatness and self magnification. Paul was on track to that greatness by his own methods when he was brought up short by a revelation of “surpassing greatness.” He was instantly changed from a vicious persecutor of Jesus to one of His most devoted apostles. Even so, he was also given a constant reminder of his total dependence upon Christ. Do we really recognize our total dependence upon Him for everything that is important?

We thank You for meeting our needs and blessing us far beyond our needs; for a hot shower and a good night’s sleep; and most of all for our total eternal security in You and what You have done for us!

ESV Lectionary