2 Corinthians 12:8-9
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.
A story is told of a very poor man who lived in ancient times. It was a time when powerful kings dominated all who lived in their kingdoms and who held the power of life and death. It was a time when many sons and many horses were a sign of wealth and prosperity.
This poor man had only one horse and one son. One day his son was using the horse to plow the fields when an accident occurred and his leg was badly broken. He was no longer able plow or to haul the produce to market and ride from place to place on various errands. People pitied the poor man and often ridiculed him for his poverty and misfortune.
Not long after the son’s accident, the king sent messengers to each village and demanded that every able-bodied young man report for battle immediately. The only one in this age group who was not conscripted was the poor man’s injured son. In a short time the sad news was relayed to the village that all of the men from that village had died in battle. Now the man who had once been pitied was considered to be the one who was blessed.
When we trust in God, it makes no difference what people think or say — Romans 8:28 is true in any and every circumstance: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil