Devotion • June 15
Today’s Scripture Reading
2 Corinthians 12:1–10
It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. And I know that such a person — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows — was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat. On behalf of such a one I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. But if I wish to boast, I will not be a fool, for I will be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think better of me than what is seen in me or heard from me, even considering the exceptional character of the revelations. Therefore, to keep me from being too elated, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (NRSV)
Reflection
Donald Kraybill, Timothy Keller, and others have called it the “Upside-Down Kingdom” of God. In this kingdom, the king is born in a manger, having neither majesty nor beauty. People as innumerable as grains of sand by the seashore are descended from barren nonagenarians. The first are last, the wise are fools, and nothing renders nothing that which is something. A widow’s mite transcends millions, mercy transcends sacrifice, and love transcends all. Curses trade for blessings, what is meant for evil turns out to accomplish God’s good, and death gives way to life.
In 2 Corinthians 12:9–10, Paul reveals something more about life in the Upside-Down Kingdom. Perhaps not surprisingly, the weak are strong. But what does it mean that God’s power is perfected (or completed, finished, fulfilled) in weakness? Is God’s power somehow incomplete, unfinished, or unfulfilled in the absence of weakness?
In the world, it often seems that power purposes to weaken the strong and smother the weak. In the Upside-Down Kingdom, power doesn’t stand alone but finds its purpose in strengthening the weak. Power goes out toward need, as do strength and surplus. In doing so, God’s character is made manifest. God is glorified. Perhaps in this Upside-Down Kingdom, hunger is an opportunity to show how God still feeds; nakedness, how God clothes; heartbreak, how God comforts; wrongs, how God forgives; discouragement, how God encourages; trouble, how God delivers; loneliness, how God befriends; hatred, how God loves. Perhaps in this Upside-Down Kingdom, glasses are neither half-full nor half-empty, but simply glasses with room for God to fill.
Prayer
Dear God, I confess that things are much easier said than done. By the power of your Spirit dwelling within us, please fulfill our every resolve for good and our every work of faith. Thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Written by Jeanette Chung, Member of Fourth Presbyterian Church
Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church
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