Post by Les on Jun 17, 2022 20:22:40 GMT
Sufficient Grace By: Debbi Fralick
Click here for the Audio Message
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Today's Scripture & Insight:
2 Corinthians 12:7–10
My friend Martha and I were flying overseas on a missions trip. But my stress was eating me up. My husband and I had five days to figure something out before our family became homeless. Knowing my situation, Martha asked me, “What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen?”
I described the most disturbing and preposterous scenario I could envision. Her next question rocked my world: “And do you believe God could give you the grace for that?”
Martha’s questions forced me to acknowledge a life-changing truth: even if the worst happened, God would be right with me and my family to provide all we would need to persevere.
When Paul had an insurmountable problem, he asked God to remove it (2 Corinthians 12:7–8). Instead, God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9). Our hope is not in quick fixes or things ‘somehow’ working out. Rather, our hope is in the sufficiency of God’s grace to hold and strengthen us through even the worst times.
Paul went so far as to say he delighted in difficulties giving him another chance to rely on God’s strength (v. 10). While I didn’t delight in my fears, I did draw courage knowing that God’s grace would be sufficient, no matter what I returned home to.
His grace is still sufficient; seek the strength and courage you need from Him today.
Reflect & Pray
What’s worrying you today? How could God’s grace be sufficient in that situation?
Father, You know the fear that grips my heart. Help me to take hold of Your promise of grace. You will provide what I need to endure.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Responding to false teachers who said he wasn’t a genuine apostle because he didn’t have ecstatic spiritual experiences, Paul deliberately boasted about the many visions he had (2 Corinthians 12:1–4; see Acts 9:1–9; 16:6–10). Paul considered such boasting utterly distasteful (2 Corinthians 12:1, 6) but necessary to appropriately respond to his critics’ misguided spirituality and pride. Paul preferred to boast about his weaknesses (v. 5 ), speaking of “a thorn in [his] flesh” (v. 7). The word thorn was used for anything pointed such as a stake, the sharp end of a fishhook, or a splinter. The implication is that Paul endured physical pain. Some think he may have had an eye affliction (Galatians 4:14–15; 6:11), a weakness resulting from his being blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9), or a chronic ailment like migraine headaches or epilepsy. While we don’t know what the thorn was, its purpose was to keep Paul humble ( 2 Corinthians 12:7).
K. T. Sim
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
King James Version
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Click here for the Audio Message
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
Today's Scripture & Insight:
2 Corinthians 12:7–10
My friend Martha and I were flying overseas on a missions trip. But my stress was eating me up. My husband and I had five days to figure something out before our family became homeless. Knowing my situation, Martha asked me, “What’s the absolute worst thing that could happen?”
I described the most disturbing and preposterous scenario I could envision. Her next question rocked my world: “And do you believe God could give you the grace for that?”
Martha’s questions forced me to acknowledge a life-changing truth: even if the worst happened, God would be right with me and my family to provide all we would need to persevere.
When Paul had an insurmountable problem, he asked God to remove it (2 Corinthians 12:7–8). Instead, God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (v. 9). Our hope is not in quick fixes or things ‘somehow’ working out. Rather, our hope is in the sufficiency of God’s grace to hold and strengthen us through even the worst times.
Paul went so far as to say he delighted in difficulties giving him another chance to rely on God’s strength (v. 10). While I didn’t delight in my fears, I did draw courage knowing that God’s grace would be sufficient, no matter what I returned home to.
His grace is still sufficient; seek the strength and courage you need from Him today.
Reflect & Pray
What’s worrying you today? How could God’s grace be sufficient in that situation?
Father, You know the fear that grips my heart. Help me to take hold of Your promise of grace. You will provide what I need to endure.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Responding to false teachers who said he wasn’t a genuine apostle because he didn’t have ecstatic spiritual experiences, Paul deliberately boasted about the many visions he had (2 Corinthians 12:1–4; see Acts 9:1–9; 16:6–10). Paul considered such boasting utterly distasteful (2 Corinthians 12:1, 6) but necessary to appropriately respond to his critics’ misguided spirituality and pride. Paul preferred to boast about his weaknesses (v. 5 ), speaking of “a thorn in [his] flesh” (v. 7). The word thorn was used for anything pointed such as a stake, the sharp end of a fishhook, or a splinter. The implication is that Paul endured physical pain. Some think he may have had an eye affliction (Galatians 4:14–15; 6:11), a weakness resulting from his being blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:9), or a chronic ailment like migraine headaches or epilepsy. While we don’t know what the thorn was, its purpose was to keep Paul humble ( 2 Corinthians 12:7).
K. T. Sim
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
King James Version
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.