DCLM Daily Manna 18 May 2026: Rise Above Your Weakness
KEY VERSE
“For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling” (1 Corinthians 2:2,3).
BIBLE READING: 2 Corinthians 2:1-5 KJV
1But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness.
2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?
3 And I wrote this same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is the joy of you all.
4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all.
READ OTHER DCLM DAILY DEVOTIONAL HERE
Failure to recognise personal, vocal excesses and rise above them can lead to failure or underperformance. French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte failed to consider his limitations when he invaded Russia in 1812. His weakness in logistics and strategic planning led to a series of costly mistakes. He underestimated the Russian winter, overextended his supply lines and failed to adapt to changing circumstances. The result was that the invasion ended in disaster, with the loss of thousands of soldiers.
As Apostle Paul approached the Corinthian brethren, he was aware of his weaknesses. He realised his emotional inabilities, fears and anxieties, mainly because of the hostility of the environment. He knew that relying on his gift of eloquence or carnal wisdom would not give him the needed breakthrough into the hearts of the sophisticated Corinthians. Moreover, he wanted, more than anything else, that the faith of the believers should rest on God’s power and not on human props. And this he could not achieve by relying on his human strength and gifts. Therefore, he had to draw strength from the Lord. He believed that the power of a transforming gospel lies in its divine origin and not in the speaker’s abilities.
Unlike Paul, many believers today focus so much on their perceived abilities; they do not realise their limitations. When we fail to realise that we are limited in some ways, we become presumptuous. This subtle manifestation of pride often leads to bitter falls and sometimes irreparable losses. On the other hand, dwelling on our weaknesses and letting them hinder us is not good either. Whether they are emotional or intellectual shortcomings, arising from our racial or family background, economic or financial constraints, social class, physical challenges or cultural challenges or even intense opposition and persecution, we must not allow any of these to stop us from fulfilling the assignment or call the Lord has given to us. Whatever weaknesses we may have, we can and should rise above them.
Realising we are limited in ourselves is fine. It helps us to depend on God’s grace alone to accomplish the task He has given us. We stay humble, knowing that we have nothing within ourselves to boast about. We should draw strength from Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. In Christ alone we find all sufficiency.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
No task is a match to us when tackled with strength from the Lordy
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Samuel 18-19
DCLM Daily Manna 18 May 2026
