James Boyd · The Power of God

Satan was glad to be allowed to cripple Paul, and Paul was distressed on account of it, but neither Paul nor Satan had known that the power of Christ was perfected in the weakness of the servant. It took place at a very early period of his christian life. He speaks of it here as fourteen years ago. It was necessary that he should learn at the commencement of his labours in whose power the work was to be done. It was a great revelation to him that his ability for service lay in his weakness, but every lesson that he learned only weaned him more and more from all trust in his natural capabilities. "My grace is sufficient for thee" caused him to lift himself up in the power of another and to feel that in his fancied strength he was weaker than water; but in his weakness he was invincible, for the power of Christ rested upon him. The blessed Lord, whom he served with a true heart, gives him to understand he was not waging this warfare with the powers of darkness at his own charges, but that He who sent him into the conflict would be both the power and the munition to bring the battle to a successful issue. He says as it were to His servant, The weaker you are the better for me. It is only the weak I can use. My power is made perfect in weakness. "Most gladly therefore," Paul says, "will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 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."