QT 6/25/2025 2 Cor 12:1–10, Content in hardships?

2 Corinthians 12:1–10 (ESV) —

1 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

NOTE: It would be pretty hard for me to see that for the sake of Christ, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, etc. Certainly, I am not content when my little world seems to turn upside down. Would it be any different if I got a glimpse of heaven? I'm not sure. I doubt things so easily. I would begin to wonder about my experience especially if I was not sure if it was in body or spirit. And then again, the vision of heaven may be so glorious as such I could not forget, like the song "I can only imagine."

 

Surrounded by Your glory

What will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you Jesus

Or in awe of You be still?

Will I stand in your presence

Or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing hallelujah?

Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine, yeah

I can only imagine

 

I've asked each of those questions of myself, and concluded I will just fall down on my knees and cry.

 

The third heaven confirms the Jewish usage of heavens. The first heaven is the atmosphere on the earth. The second heaven is the celestial universe. The third heaven is where God's presence abides. It also confirms Jesus trip down to Abraham's bosom (also called paradise), the closing down of the place in Sheol, and the taking its occupants up to heaven. Paradise is now in heaven (the third heaven), Jesus blood has cleansed all to allow man's spirit into heaven.

 

PONDER:

1. What is my contentment level?
2. Does my contentment include the struggles in life of Christ's sake?

 

PRAYER: These are hard questions and I feel weak that I cannot answer them strongly. I need your help to go through the hard times. I thank you for the peace of the last few days. I thank you for the answers to prayer. I thank you for where I am these days. Continue to show grace, mercy, and peace to me, I ask.