2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I awoke this morning and whispered, “Lord, help me.” He whispered back, “My grace is sufficient for you.” I’ve heard that a million times. I know it full well, but I must live it.
The circumstances around the world, or around our little world may seem uncertain. We’re called to inherit the land (Psalm 37). How?
We look at ourselves and inevitably focus on our inadequacy. Some of us feel like we can’t even get ourselves on track. That’s when grace comes in.
Grace calls us to see his face.
Grace reminds us to rest in him.
Grace frees us from having to be perfect.
Grace forbids us to boast in ourselves, except in our weaknesses.
The apostle Paul understood grace. He suffered and endured despite the thorn he bore. Does God always deliver? Yes, but not always in the way we desire. Paul pleaded three times yet God allowed the thorn to remain so that God’s strength be manifested through Paul’s weakness. No one wants a thorn – it pricks, it stings, it is excruciating. It is burdensome. It is cumbersome. It causes inconvenience. Yet when we learn to welcome the thorn in the will of God, we embody his grace.
Grace is not just a cliche. Grace is not mere knowledge. Grace is drinking the power of the living Christ and when we are infused, we live the embodiment of it. Grace enables us to live victoriously “in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.” (2 Cor.12:10)
The thorn in our lives makes us real. Real human. With real needs. What is your thorn that needs to be subjected to Christ?
“Heavenly Father, we humble ourselves and plead for your grace. Your grace is sufficient for us. Empower us to bear our “thorn” and embody your grace. Thank you for your amazing grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
© Pr Selina Khoo Lim, Gateway City Church, Penang. 4 April 2020.