"My Grace is Sufficient for You"

One spring morning in April 2021, around 2 am, I woke up from what seemed like a nightmare. This was the third night in a row that I struggled to go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. I felt unsettled in my spirit so, I reached for my phone and opened my bible app to read and meditate on God's word. I have found it often useful to review the community page on the YouVersion bible app, where new passages highlighted by some of my friends on the app appear. This particular time, I came across one striking passage highlighted by two friends. The passage was from 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:

"8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 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. 10 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.

In the above passage, we read about Paul, a servant of the Most High God, pleading with God to remove a "thorn" in his flesh. We are not told exactly what this "thorn" in his flesh is, but God's response is instructive: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness," The scripture gave me strength and hope. I felt encouraged, and it also served as a reminder that God will always show forth when we at our wit's end. It felt similar to situations where a parent offer reassurance to their frustrated child that everything will be fine because they've got this.

In Hebrews 4:16, we read,

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:16 KJV)

As a child of God, you must make God your first point of contact whenever faced with any situation. The grace you need to handle any situation is available if you will present the situation to God's “Throne of Grace.” 

In Ghana, where I grew up, it is common to hear most Christians respond with the phrase "By God's grace" when asked how they are doing. But for the grace, where would we be? The important question, though, is what is this "grace" we often refer to? What really defines the grace of God? It is impossible to experience what we have not fully grasped. Until the believer in Christ understands what it truly means to be co-heir with Christ, experiencing God's grace would be elusive. Being co-heirs with Christ involves knowledge (meaning we know who we are as children of the Most High God), we constantly profess that belief, we have developed and exhibit the attributes of a child of God, which in turn, enables us to experience God's presence and glory daily. But just as Paul said in Romans 8:17, Being co-heirs with Christ means we share in both his glory and sufferings:

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Rom 8:17 KJV)

Beloved in Christ, a well-ground belief in God's promises to us His children implies we have persistent and unwavering faith in God. It is at that level of faith that we can truly comprehend what it means to experience God's grace. It suffices to remind ourselves that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Despite our limitations as humans in what we can truly protect, one of the most profound statements that can immensely induce a sense of security and feelings of being loved is when we hear the words "I will protect you," either coming from a husband, parent, guardian or someone the hearer truly believes in. If we can believe in the words of a human despite human frailties, then how much more in the words of the true and Living God. We can be confident that God's love for us supersedes the love of a parent or a spouse. 

Sometimes, it may be difficult to understand God's purpose for the struggles we face. However, His words assure us He is in control. And we must believe Him. God's grace was made available to us right from when we accepted His gift of salvation. And no matter what we go through, we must learn to rest upon His grace and remember that His promises are Yes and Amen (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). 

For the person reading this, who is also facing any life struggles, I believe this word is for you as well. I don't know what you may be going through, but I believe God wants you to hear this, "My grace is sufficient for you." Believe that you are co-heirs with Christ if you have accepted Christ as your Saviour. Armed with this knowledge, you can boldly enter into the Throne of Grace and find His grace to help you in your time of need. Hold on to Him without wavering because He is ever faithful.

In times like these, we can sing the hymn, Amazing Grace by John Newton (1779): 

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found;

Was blind, but now I see. 

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,

And grace my fears relieved;

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed. 

Through many dangers, toils, and snares,

I have already come;

’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,

And grace will lead me home. 

The Lord has promised good to me,

His Word my hope secures;

He will my Shield and Portion be,

As long as life endures. 

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,

And mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil,

A life of joy and peace. 

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,

The sun forbear to shine;

But God, who called me here below,

Will be forever mine. 

When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

Bright shining as the sun,

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise

Than when we’d first begun.

May God bless you abundantly!