In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Paul quotes verbatim something the Lord told him: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” These were words the apostle needed because of what was likely a physical affliction (“a thorn…in the flesh” v. 7). Though Paul prayed for this affliction to be removed, the Lord let it remain to accomplish a good purpose. Furthermore the Lord wanted to teach an important truth to His apostle, and to us: real spiritual power is not found in human strength, but rather in human weakness. It was through the continuing bitter experience, carried out by Satan’s messenger, that Paul learned “when I am weak, then I am strong.” Our weakness and suffering do not seem ‘powerful’ from our perspective, but these are often what God uses to teach us and to display His power in us. Martin Luther said trials are supremely valuable because they “teach you not only to know and understand but also to experience how right, how true, how sweet, how lovely, how mighty, how comforting God’s word is … the devil will afflict you … and will teach you by his temptations to seek and to love God’s Word. For I myself … owe my papists many thanks for so beating, pressing, and frightening me through the devil’s raging that they have turned me into a fairly good theologian, driving me to a goal I should never have reached.” May we learn to view our suffering and trials in the same light; may they drive us to rely on God’s Word and grace!