Big Idea: Weakness is strength when it brings us to our knees.
In between 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote another letter to the Corinthian church which has been lost to us. It was a stern letter and had provoked a strong emotional reaction. Although it broke his heart to grieve them, he wrote that he did not regret it, because it did not make them superficially sorry. The letter brought them to real repentance. They were not sorry they got caught; they were sorry they had sinned. The kind of superficial brokenness which leads only to tears has never been God’s desire (Joel 2:13). Rather, God is willing for us to endure temporary heartbreak if it leads to a lasting wholeness.
Sometimes the things we perceive as our greatest weaknesses are actually our greatest strengths. They strip away the illusions of strength that make us think we can rely on ourselves and drive us to our knees. When we realize that there is nothing we can do on our own, we turn to the only one who can help us. At the moment that we are no longer too proud to find our strength in the Son of God on a cross, we are stronger than we have ever been.
Is your heart broken? Is your strength gone? Do not let that bring you to the kind of worldly sorrow that results in a tear-stained face or a temporary change. Do not pull away from the blade until it has made it to your heart. When Jesus is all that we have we learn that Jesus is all we need.
Discussion Idea: What is a painful experience which God has used in your life to bring you closer to Him? Is there anything going on in your life now which could have the same effect?
Prayer Focus: Ask God to teach you to rely on Him more fully.
