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.

2. Corinthians 12:9

Paul realised that he was strong when he was weak, for God pours His power into a weak jar of clay. The power must not even seem to come from man himself. The more broken the jar called to service, the dimmer its own glitter, the brighter the treasure put into the weak jar. God hides Himself from His own people in His opposites. When He is near, we think He is far away. When taking us to heaven, He walks us through dark valleys. When He uses us in His work, He first puts us aside. When He blesses us, we may lose our face. Paul tells touchingly about how the Lord answered when he asked to be freed of his troubles in order to be a stronger and more efficient servant of the Lord. The Lord Jesus responded:” My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This may also be translated: “For it shows its power in the midst of the weakness.”