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
No comments:
Post a Comment