MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT

8 29 12 My Grace is Sufficient  

      

Don’t forget to pray. 

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV) To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸ Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹ 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Note: What kind of life would we be living if it consisted of only blessings? It didn’t work for Adam and Eve and I doubt seriously it would work for us. The burdens we face in life are important in perfecting our faith. If they were not, God would not allow them. The best example of suffering is Jesus Christ but today I want us to look at a good New Testament example of suffering, the apostle Paul. I want us to see how God allowed Satan to torment him with a thorn in his flesh, a thorn that was so painfully debilitating that on three occasions Paul asked the Lord to take the torment away. Each time God’s response to Paul was, “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Paul shares this struggle of his with the Corinthians in retrospect. Now, because of God grace and power, he is able to share with them the blessing that was his due to God not answering his prayer in the way he wanted. God knew what was best for Paul to keep him from being defeated by the attacks of Satan. God’s answer to Paul is seen in His provision of grace and power. He changed Paul’s weakness into strength. He was able to boast in his weakness because when he was at his weakest Jesus Christ demonstrated His greatest display of power in Paul’s life.

How was God’s greatest display of power shown to Paul? His weakness and the struggles that accompanied it developed within him Godly character. Paul shared this truth with the church at Rome, writing in Romans 5:3-5 that he was able to rejoice in his sufferings, because he knew that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. He continued to write, hope did not disappoint me, because God has poured out his love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given me.

Paul would never have been able to accomplish what he did for the Lord if he had not had to go through the trials and difficulties, the thorn in his flesh he had to live with. His life is a showcase of suffering, perseverance, and God’s transforming power. God’s character became Paul’s character. Everything that God allowed Paul to go through, all of the battles, challenges, and struggles, resulted in Paul having a deep loving relationship with Christ. Late in his life he spoke from a dungeon cell in Philippi of his eagerness to prove himself worthy to courageously face his impending death. He wanted Christ to be exalted in his body whether he lived or died. He made a powerful statement that reflected his deep commitment and love for Christ, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil 1:21) That my friends, is the evidence of God’s all-sufficient grace and power in Paul’s life.

Word from the Lord:  Beloved, I take no pleasure in your suffering and discomfort but know this; I will be faithful to you in the midst of it. I will supply grace on top of grace; grace that is greater than all the evil that the enemy can bring against you. Out of all the trials and difficulties you face I will bring a blessing and turn your tears into joy and gladness. I am working all things together for good because you love me and I love you with an everlasting love.

Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory.

Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!