His Grace is All I Need

So to keep me from becoming proud, 

I was given a thorn in my flesh,

 a messenger from Satan to torment me

 and keep me from becoming proud. 

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need.

My power works best in weakness.” 

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses,

 so that the power of Christ can work through me.

 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses,

 and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles

that I suffer for Christ.

 For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NLT)

God is so gracious to bring about circumstances in our lives that bring us to the end of ourselves.  Only then are we in a position to receive.  Their is only one stance of receptivity - on our knees.  When we have realized that we have no power or control over our circumstances we finally come to the place where we are humble enough to receive.

This is what happened to Paul.  He kept struggling against his pain asking God to take it from him, until God spoke to him,  "Don't you realize, Paul, that I have given you this thorn to bring you into a blessed state of humility where you can receive everything you need.  From that place of submission all of my power can be released."

Only then Paul was able to let it go, to cast it all into the hands of God, realizing that the suffering and pain could not be compared with what God had in store for him. He actually took pleasure in his sufferings.  His thorn became his blessing.  All of our sins, failures and shortcomings, all of our cares worries and concerns, become the place where God can pour out an abundance of grace.

Lord, thank you for bringing us into this place of humility where we can cast upon you all of our weaknesses, sins and troubles. Open the windows of heaven today and pour our that abundance of grace and power that we need.  Your grace is sufficient for me. 

 I will boast only about my weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:5 (NLT) 

Listen to: Your Grace Is Sufficient

More Than Conquerors

 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us.

Romans 8:37 (NIV)

So many troubles and problems assault us in this life.  It is so hard for us to go through difficult times, our emotions are so intense.  Fearful feelings, anxiety and worry overwhelm us.

When we are in this state, it is hard for us to imagine ourselves as conquerors, victorious over every thing that life throws at us. It is hard for us to see how our failings and weaknesses could be woven together for good. 

Paul recounts his own struggle: 

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 

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. 

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. 

 2 Corinthians 12:8-10 (NIV) 

We can only hold onto God's promise with what little strength we have. God is faithful. He is holding on to us with a firm grip even when it feels like our grip is failing. For,  "It is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."(Heb. 6:18,19) 

He will bring us through. No trouble, hardship or problem can ever separate us from God.  Hold on!