INADEQUACY

 

We’d like to feel that we have things under control, and that we have the personal resources to address any challenges.

 

However, the closer we get to our Lord, the more we are forced to accept the truth - we are inadequate and must learn how to trust in God alone (Psalm 62).

 

This is a painful process and can only be learned over time. Paul was still learning the lesson of inadequacy late into his servanthood:

 

◦ For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

 

We only learn to trust in God with a gun aimed at our forehead. Paul had learned that it is hard to trust in God’s adequacy if we believe in our own adequacy.

 

God taught Paul that there is only one answer to the problem of self-trust in our adequacy – suffering as the scalpel of the Spirit:

 

◦ But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. (2 Corinthians 4:7-11)

 

Therefore, we are afflicted to learn that the only way of escape is by the Lord’s hand.

 

Self-confidence is a sure prescription for self-righteousness as overeating is a sure way of gaining weight. Consequently, God needed to continue His work to humble Paul:

 

◦ 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. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. 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. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

 

Knowing that we are inadequate is actually a strength. It forces us to depend upon God and not upon ourselves. We are no more than midwives assisting in the birth of a new life that belongs entirely to our Lord, the fruit of His Spirit, His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10). The glory belongs to Him, but what an honor to participate in His work!