Posts
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. II Corinthians 12:9
Ever have a period of time in your life where it seems at every turn it’s a struggle, or life just doesn’t seem to be going your way? Times like this seem to come my way every now and then as life assaults me from every direction. Recently, just getting going in the morning turned into an ordeal that seemed to never end. I’m not talking about having a bad day, I’m suggesting a string of bad days that seem to stack up together. Every time I turned around, something went wrong or it didn’t turn out like I thought it would. I found myself starting to feel sorry for myself and began thinking of ways to make myself feel better. Well, as I was in “pity party” mode the other day, my mind turned towards heaven and part of the verse above, “My grace is sufficient” popped into my thoughts. I started a thought process of wondering how this verse would apply to all the things that had been happening to me recently.
Prior to verse nine, Paul said he had asked the Lord to remove this “thorn” that he had. God’s response was not to remove it as Paul had requested, but that he would continually supply him with grace to endure it. The weaker the human, the more clearly God’s grace shines fourth.
After a little digging, on the word “grace” I came across II Timothy 2:1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Paul was telling Timothy to overcome his apparent drift toward weakness and to renew his commitment to his ministry. He then goes on to two examples of what our part is in receiving this grace. Verse 5: as an athlete competes within the rules, we to need to obey the Word of God in the pursuit of spiritual victory. Verse 6: as a farmer labors hard for his crop, we should not be lazy but work hard with a view of the coming of the Lord.
Peter talks about growing in grace in II Peter 3:17-18 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Peter tells us we are to be on guard not to be led astray by false teaching. Also pursuing Christian maturity and a deepening knowledge of the Lord Jesus will lead us to doctrinal stability and prevent us from being led astray.
Wow, where had I been? Total horizontal focus on my part! Being led astray by my own human flesh and tempted by worldly attacks! But praise the Lord, I’m brought back to reality through His word and the working of the Holy Spirit. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even through refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. I Peter 1: 3-9
So, all my human weaknesses ultimately bring praise, glory and honor to God because through His grace, His power is made perfect through my weakness. Through His grace my salvation is protected, through His grace my continued and growing faith is evidence of His keeping power. It is He the Sheppard that brings me back to walk with Him.
Vertical focus, not horizontal. All praise and glory be to God!
