My grace is sufficient for you

 Hierdie oordenking is ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar

My grace is sufficient for you

2 Cor. 12 v 7 – 9 - HCSB

Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

 Sometimes the Lord says NO to us! Paul was here in a situation that was very difficult for him and he prayed that the Lord would take it away, but the Lord's answer to his prayer was "NO", but He also added: "My grace is sufficient for you.”

 Sometimes we have problems in life and then our solution is for the Lord to take away the problems. I am sure that the Christians who were thrown to the lions by Nero also prayed that the Lord would take them out of that situation.

 “Lord please take this incurable disease away from me. Make my circumstances easier, take away this problem.”

 The Lord sometimes works miracles and heals people of incurable diseases, but sometimes His answer is, "NO, My grace is sufficient for you." It is the Lord's grace that carries us through life, not the lack of problems.

 What is the Lord's grace? His grace is Jesus who died on a cursed cross so that everyone who believes in the gospel of Jesus Christ* can be reconciled to God again.

 The Lord's grace is that He does not leave you alone, especially when you have to go through difficult times in life. His grace is that He makes even what is bad work for your good.

 Do not pray that the Lord will take away your problems. Pray for his grace. Sometimes His grace means that He will indeed take away the problem, but sometimes it means He does not take away the problem because He carries you through it. His power comes into full effect when you cling to Him in faith.

Amen

* Faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ involves that (1) you humble yourself before God by admitting you are a sinner, (2) have faith that you will be saved through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, his resurrection, (3) and a life of gratitude.