2 Cor.12:8,9 – TPT – Three times I pleaded with the Lord to relieve me of this. But he answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.”

This passage gives us a glimpse into the adversity that Paul faced and the power of God that was manifest in his life and ministry. Paul face pushback from the very beginning of his ministry. It started in Damascus where Paul was at the time of his conversion. The governor of the region surrounding Damascus tried to arrest Paul, he escaped by getting let down over the wall in a basket. His life story was filled with conflict and blessing. On one hand, thousands were being saved, churches were being birthed, and much of the New Testament was being written. At the same time he was kicked out of synagogues, thrown into prisons multiple times, scourged with a Roman whip, beaten with canes, and stoned and left for dead. The resistance required Paul to be totally dependent on the Lord. It seems as the resistance increased the power of God multiplied. Here is how Chrysostom described this display of God’s power.

“God told Paul that it was enough that he could raise the dead, cure the blind, cleanse lepers and do other miracles. He did not need exemption from danger and fear as well, or complete freedom to preach without any form of hindrance. Indeed, when these troubles come, God’s power of deliverance is shown, and the gospel triumphs in spite of persecution. The more the trials increased, the more grace increased as well.”

That is a great lesson to learn in life, the resistance that comes from the spirit of the world actually helps promote the gospel and advances us into the purposes of God. I suppose the greatest of all examples of this truth is seen in Jesus Himself. He was hated and rejected by His own people and finally crucified on a Roman cross with murderers, traitors, and thieves. It was in the death of Christ that the power of God saw its greatest demonstration, Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God.
Who could forget these others examples of God’s power seen in our weakness:
Abraham becoming the father of many nations after offering his only son on the altar.
Joseph becoming prime minister in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers.
Peter becoming the mouthpiece at Pentecost after denying he knew the Lord.

Whatever you are facing this adversity is a great opportunity for the Lord to show His glory in your life. His power is demonstrated in your weakness.