Is God’s lavish grace in Christ (Eph. 1:7-8), and immeasurable power in Christ (Eph. 1:19-23), genuinely sufficient for YOU? Are you seeking to singularly trust, and confidently submit to God’s provision in Christ? Is HE enough for YOU? What does this look like in real life, anyway? Listen to the Apostle Paul’s experience:
7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:7-9)
When we experience “thorns” in our lives – God-ordained trials and troubles more powerful than us – we’re faced with a critically important choice. Are we going to arrogantly pursue our own strategies and resources in vain efforts to remove the thorns, or will we humbly trust and submit to the absolute sufficiency of God’s grace and power, even in the midst of the thorns? Paul learned to be confident and content in God’s powerful provision. Thus he declares:
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor. 12:9-10)
Oh beloved, let the Good Shepherd have His way in your life! Let him show forth the abundant sufficiency of His grace and power, even through your weaknesses and trials. Don’t fight against God, but fight the fight of faith in God! Fight to find your hope and strength only in Him (see Psalm 62)!!
Because Christ lives, and is returning,
Greg