MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT
2 Corinthians 12:7-10:
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Amen!
"My Grace Is Sufficient!" Four simple words, but oh the power behind those words. I imagine there is not a one of us who cannot say that they have not encountered those words in their lifetime. How many times have we gone through difficult circumstances and have heard those words, even said them ourselves.
Now we could list all of the chapters and verses in the Bible that describe the word grace, but let's take a look at examples of grace in action in the Bible. David was looked at as a strong king who led many battles that were won for the Lord.
But in a weak moment, he lusted after a married woman, slept with her and she became pregnant. Then he tried to deceive her husband and ended up killing him. The baby that was born out of this affair died and David hit one of the lowest times in his life. But God's grace was sufficient. He experienced forgiveness, and later fathered Solomon who built the Temple in Jerusalem. Jonah was a man chosen of God to prophesy to many people. God told him to go to Nineve hand gave him a message to give to the people of this town. But Jonah in his fear and weakness decided not to go and ended up in the belly of a big fish. But there in that fish, he experienced the grace of the Lord.
God's forgiveness, mercy, and grace flowed in Jonah's life, and he was later able to complete the mission God had given him through the power of the Lord. Here in today's text we read that Paul had a nagging affliction that he had prayed about, asking the Lord to deliver him from it, but instead of the deliverance, he experienced the grace of the Lord.
How many times have we done things out of God's will and experienced the grace of the Lord. We realized our actions, and were cut to the bone because of our disobedience, but after repentance, felt that wonderful grace of God flowing in our lives that turned our weakness into a powerful testimony to that grace.
How many times have we had weak areas of our lives that we knew, believed, and trusted God could touch them, but felt like nothing happened. Surely God has not heard our prayer nor seen our faith. Paul must have felt this way, but through this affliction, this unmoving thorn, he was able to testify to God's sufficient grace.
I am reminded of a story I read about years ago of a young girl named Joni Ericsson. Joni was an up and coming swimming star. She was diving and dived into shallow water, broke her neck and spine, and well, you know the rest of the story.
She was paralyzed from the neck down. For days and months she laid in a stryker bed in the hospital not wanting to live. She felt she had been given a raw deal. Then she began to receive the Lord's ministry, and accepted the changes in her that the Lord was trying to make. She began to grow in her relationship with the Lord and her spirit changed dramatically.
She always had faith that the Lord would heal her and she would one day walk again. But instead of the healing she thought she would surely get, she experienced the grace of God. That sufficient grace in her weak and helpless state enabled her to learn to paint and draw by holding pen, pencils, and brushes in her mouth.
She has become a very well known speaker, author, and artist. She even got married. I remember in her book, that sometime after she was out of the hospital, and had begun some short speaking tours, a little boy came up to her in his wheel chair, and told her how her story had inspired him to keep going.
My grace is sufficient. Words that can calm a troubled heart, when the circumstances would not change. I experienced His sufficient grace when my late husband passed away. It is something that is really indescribable, but the powerful peace that comes with it becomes a testimony for others going through difficult times.
I believe in healing, and I believe in deliverance. I also believe that it is God's choice, and if and when He decides to not heal someone or deliver someone the way we think, He spreads His grace over them. He needs people who are experiencing His grace and power to show the way in difficult situations.
He needs our trials to be a testimony to someone whose trials are greater. We have to be like Joni Ericsson and put it in God's hands, and trust His faithfulness, His mercy, His grace to strengthen us when we are weak. After all, as Jesus said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."
So whether we are needing to experience God's grace because of something we have done wrong and need His forgiveness and grace to deal with it, or we are in a hard situation that seemingly has no end, it is there for us and free for the asking.
Let us challenge ourselves instead of complaining, murmuring, and feeling sorry for ourselves in a difficult circumstance, to seek and receive God's grace. Let it flow into, through, and out of our lives.
Let these situations become testimonies to His faithfulness, instead of a time to wallow in self pity. Let Him get the glory He deserves. Let us allow our lives to reflect Philippians 4:4-9; Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Author Unknown
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
This is my last day on this Forum.
Grace & Peace
Brother Love
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