Notes of Faith March 20, 2025
Sufficient Grace
And [the Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
When we go through times of trouble, we can wonder why God is allowing it. We can even wonder whether God is aware of our circumstances. The apostle Paul’s situation gives us insight into those questions (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
He experienced something he called “a thorn in the flesh,” “a messenger of Satan” (verse 7). We don’t know exactly what this “thorn” was, but it was enough of a discomfort that he prayed three times that God would remove it. So we know God was aware of his situation, and we know God refused to remove the “thorn.” Instead, God reminded Paul that His grace would be sufficient for the trouble he was experiencing. We don’t know how long Paul’s trouble lasted, but we do know that God’s grace is inexhaustible. So as long as Paul was suffering, God’s grace was sufficient for him to endure. The experience changed Paul’s perspective; with his suffering came a fresh realization of the power of God’s grace in his life.
Take your troubles to God in prayer just as Paul did. And know that whatever God’s answer, His grace will be sufficient.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure.
Annie Johnson Flint
He Giveth More Grace
Song by Bill & Gloria Gaither
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies 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.
Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.
His love has no limits, 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.
Songwriters: Hubert Mitchell, Annie Johnson Flint
Eph 3:14-19
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.
It is the grace of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that brought the possibility of salvation for man. After the entrance of sin into the world mankind needed a Savior to be forgiven of his sin, to have his debt of punishment paid for, and to once again have a righteous relationship with God. This Savior is of course the Lord Jesus Christ, who through His sacrificial death, burial, and resurrection, provided all mercy and grace for those who would believe in Him. Come to Jesus. Receive the free gifts of mercy and grace that will transform your life today and for all eternity!
Pastor Dale