Strength in Weakness

The house of Saul weakens, Pharaoh is dragged down to the pit, and Paul refuses to boast in visions. These are not separate lessons. They declare one judgment: God resists proud strength, whether in kings, nations, or apostles who would make much of themselves. The kingdoms that seem secure fall in a day; the servant who is kept low by a thorn stands fast by grace.

Egypt said its rivers were its own, as if breath and power were self-made. Origen preserves the Lord’s charge against such pride: "Behold I am against you, Pharaoh, king of Egypt, the great dragon, seated in the midst of rivers, who sayest, Mine are the rivers, and I made them." David, by contrast, does not seize the kingdom by open treachery; he mourns bloodshed, waits under long conflict, and grows stronger as God gives strength. Paul walks the same road. He has seen great things, yet he speaks more readily of weakness, injuries, necessities, and persecutions, lest he be exalted above measure.

So the Christian must not seek glory in gifts, rank, or worldly security. If the Lord permits a thorn, receive it with sobriety. If He humbles a nation, fear Him. If sin remains in the church, do not make peace with it. Chrysostom puts before us the apostolic grief: "I fear lest when I come, my God should humble me before you, and that I should mourn for many of them that have sinned heretofore, and repented not of the lasciviousness and uncleanness which they committed." Better now to repent, pray, fast, and amend one’s deeds than to be found boasting on the edge of the grave.