GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

2 Cor. 12:9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 

 

[Taken from 2 Corinthians 12:1-10.]

Fourteen years had gone by since the time a certain follower of Christ was snatched away to the third heaven where he heard inexpressible words that man is not permitted to tell.  Whether it was in the body or out of the body, he really didn’t know and his statement was, “Only God knows.”   

In verses 1-4 it appeared that Paul was talking about someone other than himself.  It becomes apparent in verse 5 that he is referring to none other than himself.  Why do you think Paul would feel compelled to do that?  He explained it in that way so that he would not cause people to think more of him than they should.  He knew the danger of making a god out of man and he was a servant of the only true God, the Great I Am.

In verse 7 we begin to understand the logic behind his thoughts, because he said that there had been given him a “thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan.” The thorn Paul spoke of has been speculated over for years as to exactly what it could have been.  Many people think they have his “recurring problem” figured out, but whatever it was it was, it was sent to keep him humble and from becoming conceited because of the revelations he had received from God.  After all he had actually seen the wonders of Paradise! 

Paul said that he begged God three times to take away the debilitating problem, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  Paul thought better of his requests and said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 

Just as the grace of God was sufficient for Paul, it is for you and me.  Many times we can be caught up in a myriad of activities, doing all we can for God and wondering when we will ever get to come up for air, when all of a sudden we get another dose of grace and the Lord pulls us through once again.  The grace of God is what keeps us going in the midst of adversity, not only in ministry, but when things seem to be thrown at us in every day life.  I’ll explain what I mean.

I had already decided that I was going to write this devotional on the subject of God’s grace being sufficient for our every need, when I received an e-mail from a friend of mine. Her message filled me in on what had been happening with her over the past months. She said she had lost her mother to cancer, but her message was clear that God had sustained her and her exact words were, “God’s grace was sufficient enough for me.” 

A wonderful thing happened when her siblings came together at the time of her mother’s death because for the first time since 1990 they were all under one roof.  At that time they became determined to stay united despite hurts from the past and she stated again, “God’s grace is sufficient for us.”

My friend went on to tell about her young brother-in-law who had battled death when he had a heart attack, but she said he had pulled through miraculously.  It was a devastating time but she said once again, “God’s grace is sufficient for us.”

Despite all of these circumstances, I’m amazed at the powerful faith of my young friend and her husband.  They realize at a very young age, how awesome the grace of God truly is and this has been a lesson her family will never forget. 

I remember several years ago going through some very difficult days, but also remember how God’s grace carried my husband and me. Easter was drawing near and my husband felt compelled to write a play about the soldier who drove the nails in the hands and feet of Jesus, which included a reenactment of the crucifixion. I began putting together music for the choir even though physically I felt I couldn’t do the task at hand, but God’s grace was sufficient for me. To shout aloud of how grace can sustain us during difficult days of ministry, on Easter morning after the play and choir presentation, we had nine people to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior during the altar invitation!  When we think we can’t make it God sees to it by His grace that we can! Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph!  (2 Cor. 2:14)

Isa. 46:4  Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Prayer:

Father, I want to thank You for Your grace that sustains us and helps us along the way when we think we cannot make it.  I want to lift up praise to You for You are the One who brings us though by Your grace to get through difficult days of ministry or whatever life throws our way.  You will be right there to back us up.  YOU’ve got our back Lord! You’re the One who will undergird and lift us out of a pit of turmoil and despair because of Your grace.  Thank You for what You did on the cross for us Lord and thank You for giving us grace which is undeserved favor from Your mighty hands. Oh, praise Your name Jesus for Your grace because it will carry us.  I love You Lord and appreciate Your grace!  Amen.