Day 83 - 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

 This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. 2 I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. 3 Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know 4 that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

5 That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Tori's Comments:

Third heaven? What constitutes the other two?

I like how he describes it, though. It makes me highly anticipate what's to come.

"My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Such a beautiful message and a great reminder for when times are tough.


Terrie's Comments:

So Paul was given experiences and revelation from heaven that would give him plenty to brag about, however in order that he still keep things in perspective he also dealt with a messenger from Satan that kept his life interesting.  I have a feeling that without knowing it Satan drove the message further because Paul was determined to preach the gospel no matter where he was or what was going on.  The more that Satan tried to destroy the work Paul was accomplishing for Jesus, the more that the gospel was furthered with more power and conviction from Paul.  I would have to say that Satan's plan back-fired!


Take our personal comments or leave them. We would love to hear what stood out to you about today`s passage and how it encouraged you. Tell us in the comments below!