His Grace Is Sufficient

My grace is sufficient for you.

              2 Corinthians 12:9 

     From birth, when I was enrolled in the Cradle Roll department of our church, until now my life has revolved around church and family—my closest relationships formed as a result of meetings through church-related functions. I grew up hearing God’s Word. Other than high school choir, I did little that did not revolve around church activities.

     Teaching every age from four-years-old to seniors, I found my niche in women’s ministry. Over the years, I have taught on all the basics of believing God, trusting God, obeying God…and have found Him always more than sufficient to meet every need.

     I have survived the loss of both parents and other loved ones by clinging to the Cross of Christ and daily reminding myself of the goodness and mercy of my LORD!

     I am confident that you too have been there. If you are a believer in Christ, if He dwells in your heart, if your hope is in God, I am convinced that He has traveled the rough patches of life with you—carrying you when you were no longer able to step one foot in front of the other.

     Today, in my church alone, heartache, illness and loss consumes many families. Yet in the midst of personal pain, they reach out and comfort others who also suffer—extending a human hand touching lives with God’s sufficient grace. 

     Proverbs 24:10 reminds us that “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength!” While I understand that times of trouble can make us stronger and develop our character, I doubt that any of us pray and ask God to please send trouble. Nevertheless, trouble comes as an uninvited guest.

     When that happens, we are forced to face our inner self. Do I really believe God? Do I really trust God? Am I really ready to pray, “Father not my will but thine be done?”

     As we face ourselves in the mirror and ask those tough questions, we do well to remember what we already know—God’s grace is sufficient.  

        He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

        He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;

        To added affliction He addeth His mercies,

        To multiplied trials his multiplied peace. 

        When we have exhausted our store of endurance,

        When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,

        When we reach the end of our hoarded resources

        Our Father’s full giving is only begun. 

        His love has no limit; His grace has no measure,

        His power no boundary known unto men;

        For out of His infinite riches in Jesus

        He giveth and giveth and giveth again. 

                                        Annie Johnson Flint

 

©JP 2013