HUMILITY IS STRENGTH

          "And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me--to keep me from exalting myself" (2 Corinthians 12:7).

          Every person whether he/she is a super saint has both strengths and weaknesses. Those who try to conceal their weaknesses pose a danger to the gospel of Jesus Christ, because they portray a superman mentality in the Christian life. However, God has made every believer weak in certain areas of our lives so that we will continue to lean on Him. When Jacob was a trickster, manipulator, and schemer, God had to knock out the socket from his thigh in order to humble him. From that time Jacob walked with a limp so he could not rely on his swift schemes. God made him weak so Jacob would rely on Him. You may hide your weaknesses from people but you cannot hide them from God.

          Paul is saying that due to the surpassing greatness of divine revelations he received from the Lord, God used the thorn in his flesh to humble him. Satan meant the thorn for evil and perhaps for Paul's destruction, but God meant it for good. What Satan intends to use to destroy you, God can reverse it and use it for His purpose in your life. If God had not permitted this thorn, perhaps Paul would have been filled with pride to the detriment and destruction of his ministry and life. Many scholars have speculated Paul's thorn of the flesh. However, the wise God knows the reason Paul did not disclose this "thorn of the flesh." Paul did not hide his weakness. He did not hide his infirmity. He confessed it and that created a humble spirit in his life. When you know that you have limitations then, God can use you. However, if you think you are strong and perfect, then you are in for the shock of your life. Because Paul knew his weakness, he depended entirely on the sovereign power and wisdom of God for his life and ministry. That is why he could say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." If you would do a meticulous study of the men and women in the Bible that God used, you would notice that everyone of them had some flaws in his or her life.

          This demonstrates that God is not looking for invincible, extraordinary, and dynamic people to use them. On the contrary, God is looking for weak and ordinary people like you and me, who would not feign superiority but who would be completely dependent on Him. Paul's life was not dictated by his physical limitations. His life was not controlled by his circumstance whatever it was. He trusted God explicitly and implicitly. God is seeking humble people to manifest His supernatural power in and through them so that nobody would usurp His glory. Do you have some human weaknesses? Then, you are the exact person that God is anticipating to use.

          Weak people are God's instrument for greatness, success, and advancement of His kingdom. They point people to the awesome and supernatural power of God instead of themselves. They deflect the accolades and the glory from themselves to God. Even in the life of our Lord Jesus what attracted people to Him was His humility. Humility is not timidity. Humility is power under control.

          The Apostle Paul states that what exalted Jesus and gave Him the name that is above every other name is His Humility. He goes on to state that Jesus humbled Himself and became obedient to God to the point of death, even death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). God exalts those who humble themselves but brings down the proud in heart.

          Only eternity would reveal many gifted people who could have been used immensely by God but their pride destroyed them and every potential they had. Therefore, embrace the attitude of humility so that God can make a difference in your life and others.


*If the messages from this blog have been a blessing to you and you want to give to support this ministry, you can write your check to:
KENADARKWA LLC
Kennedy A. Adarkwa, PhD
6402 Redding Court
Arlington, TX 76001