DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
JUNE 13, 2026
READ: *2 Corinthians 11 (Focus vs. 23-29)
MEMORY VERSE*
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in
weakness“ 2 Corinthians 12:9
BACKGROUND
Tungsten is something of a paradox. It has the highest tensile strength of any pure element, making it extremely difficult to pull apart. But the Mead
Metals website notes, “In terms of impact strength, tungsten is weak—it’s a brittle metal known to shatter on impact.”
It’s fascinating that tungsten, the strongest natural metal, is also so weak and brittle.
Human beings display a similar characteristic. Though capable of great strength both physically and mentally, we’re easily crushed under the weight of this fallen, broken world. Paul experienced this personally.
In 2 Corinthians 11, he described experiences that overwhelmed him (vv. 23-29). But God encouraged him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul resolved, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Earlier in 2 Corinthians, Paul had written, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed” (4:8). There’s hope, even though the strongest child of God knows all too well that this world is simply too much for us. We’re happily dependent on the strength of His grace if we are to endure.
May we, like Paul, embrace our weaknesses so God’s power can carry us through.
Bill Crowder
INSIGHT
When we feel weak and powerless, God wants us to turn to Him. As Isaiah wrote, our “everlasting God, the Creator of the [earth],” doesn’t “grow tired or weary” (Isaiah 40:28). “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (v. 29).
When we put our trust in Him, He renews our strength (v. 31).
Paul reminds us that when we turn to God in our weakness, we can rejoice because through our weakness God’s power is seen (2 Corinthians 11:29-30; 12:9).
Romans tells us that “the Spirit helps us in our weakness” and “intercedes for us” even when we don’t know how we should pray (8:26). We can find hope, comfort, and joy “through him who gives [us] strength” (Philippians 4:13). God provides what we truly need to persevere and to live for and serve Him.
Alyson Kieda
APPLICATION
When did you experience a moment that felt like it would crush you? How will you rest in God’s strength the next time you’re in a crisis?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
Though capable of great strength both physically and mentally, (as humans) we’re easily crushed under the weight of this fallen, broken world… May we, (as believers), embrace our weaknesses so God’s power can carry us
PR’s TAKE
In our own strength we are no match for our arch-enemy. In God’s strength he is no match for us. Pr*
“When we feel weak and powerless, God wants us to turn to Him… God provides what we truly need to persevere and to live for and serve Him.” Today’s Insight
“Give God your weakness and He’ll give you His strength.” iBelieve.com
“If God allowed you to get to it, He will bring through it.” Anonymous – Adapted
PRAYER
“Dear Father, please help me to rest in Your strength to carry me through life’s crushing moments.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR”
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
NBo tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r
When Thou art nigh.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee…
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
In joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide,
Or life is vain.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee…
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises
In me fulfill.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee…
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most Holy One;
O make me Thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son.
I need Thee, O I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
O bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.
