Power in Weakness, Vision in the Valley

This morning I read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 in which Paul, after asking that his "thorn in the flesh" be removed, shares how God enabled him to boast in his weakness:

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 l 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.

As I was reading the passage, the song "In the Valley", written by my friend Bob Kauflin and sung by my amazing wife Shannon, began to play on my computer. It seemed the perfect compliment to Paul's words about discovering God's sustaining strength in the midst of life's most challenging moments. Here are the lyrics:

When You lead me to the valley of vision
I can see You in the heights
And though my humbling wouldn't be my decision
It's here Your glory shines so bright
So let me learn that the cross precedes the crown
To be low is to be high
That the valley's where You make me more like Christ

Let me find Your grace in the valley
Let me find Your life in my death
Let me find Your joy in my sorrow
Your wealth in my need
That You're near with every breath
In the valley

In the daytime there are stars in the heavens
But they only shine at night
And the deeper that I go into darkness
The more I see their radiant light
So let me learn that my losses are my gain
To be broken is to heal
That the valley's where Your power is revealed

If you're walking through one of life's valleys and aware of your weakness, I pray the sufficiency of God's grace will become more and more evident to you.

By the way, you can listen to the song here.

Comments (5)

That was precisely what I needed to hear this morning... thanks! Your words actually reminded me of another old-school (I think) PDI song that I can't seem to find anywhere (at least on iTunes)... "Better By Far".

Better by far to be near you, than to be freed from all of my trials; better by far that you make me like Christ than to give me all I desire.

Thanks for the reminder!

Posted by Liv | March 27, 2009 10:22 AM

I love the Valley of Vision song as well and your wife does such a marvelous song of singing it! I love all Sovereign Grace Music! Its so encouraging and theologically sound. I'm so glad SovGrace has shared their music with the world.

Posted by Jenna | March 27, 2009 12:45 PM

Josh,
I had not checked your blog for some time but 'randomly' went to it this afternoon. Tears streamed down my face as I read the scripture and words to that song. We own that cd but the lyrics jumped out at me today. I was just telling Matt last night that it's hard being humbled so much. It's tiring being needy, and I want to be the ones serving instead of being served so often. Matt has had 3 seizures in the last 6 days and we are both tired and ready for this to be taken away. Your post encouraged me to joy in our weakness. This time is hard, but Christ is making us more like Himself through this trial and for that I'm so thankful. This truth reminded that His grace is sufficient. Thanks for posting this.
So grateful for you,
Helen

Posted by helen low | March 27, 2009 1:28 PM

Helen,

You and Matt are an inspiration to me. Thank you for your example of faith in Jesus during difficult trials.

Joshua

Posted by Joshua Harris | March 28, 2009 9:34 AM

I can say that im one of those million people who got inspired by your works, i read all your books and it really change my life, thank u very much. now i experience the difficult times in my life and to hear the song of your amazing wife is very comforting to me and it strengthen and keep my faith in GOD.thank you for sharing your faith to all of us.

Posted by rizza | April 5, 2009 12:36 AM

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