To Make Us Strong #5 — Contented Strength

God has said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” … Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Contentment is a requirement for receiving the grace of God’s power, because it is faith as a settled and thoughtful happiness. Contentment begins by recognizing our finitude, grows by realizing God’s beatitude, and matures by rehearsing our gratitude. Contentment involves being so pleased with God’s unique design for our lives, that we eagerly invite him to augment our limitations. When we are content we can live within the framework of God’s wisdom and power. We can more readily be a part of God’s efforts to display his glory by extending his goodness into the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, we must not be complacent in our contentment, nor content with our weaknesses for their own sake, but for the sake of someone infinitely strong and worthy, for Christ. Contented weakness is meekness, in that we humbly allow God’s strength to work through us, without calling attention to ourselves. God loves to work through us when we are satisfied with his work rather than our own.

O Lord God, I am satisfied with all that you are for me in Jesus. I want to see you do more through me for his sake. Grant me pleasure in everything that makes this possible. Amen.