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Day 12 2 Corinthians 12 2 Corinthians 12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows;) 4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that which he sees me to be, or that he hears of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? Walked we not in the same spirit? Walked we not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? We speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. What do you glory in? What is your biggest achievement? Do you bring your achievements to everyone’s notice? Paul didn’t glory in his achievements. He considered himself the least of all the apostles. Instead, Paul gloried in what God did in him. Even the troubles and persecutions Paul endured, he gloried because they showed the power of God in his life. As Christians, every situation in your life should be a praise report of what God is doing and not what you are enduring. It isn’t for sympathy but for God’s praise when God brings you through your trouble. It’s one of the hardest things you can do when you are going through a crisis to give a praise report of what God is doing in your life. However, that’s what Paul did. He praised God and gave his infirmities, his persecutions, every situation that came against him to God. In lifting up and praising God, he showed God’s mighty power over the trouble. You know your situation. Your familiar with every struggle, every hardship, even every bad thought about it. Turn those bad thoughts into praise and watch God turn your trouble into a triumph. Let’s pray: Father, You alone know my troubles. Help me praise You in the midst of my struggles, turning over everything to Your mighty power. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 11 April 2019 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay