Given August 7, 2008 

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 

The grace of God.  God himself told the apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient…”  Paul had a problem that Satan put on him and he had asked God three times to get rid of it.  God’s answer was the verse above.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, (Hebrews 13:8), so His grace is enough for us today too.  But what does that mean?  

Grace goes together with mercy.  Mercy is when you’re guilty and the judge lets you off or has someone else take your punishment; when you don’t get what you deserve.  We are all in that predicament.  On the other side of the coin is grace.  Grace is when we’ve done nothing and we’re called up front and given a reward; when we get what we don’t deserve.  God, our father, is both merciful and full of grace.  

Now, in some situations, God will deliver us from attacks of the enemy.  He knows the situation and can see into the future.  Whatever God does for us is right; He knows.  But sometimes, He has a purpose in not delivering us or waiting awhile.  He told Paul, “my power is made perfect in weakness”.  Paul was very willing for God’s power to be displayed in his problem.  Can we admit Paul is pretty well known?  Does that have anything to do with God’s grace?  Paul didn’t want any of the credit; he gave it all to God. 

 Whatever situation we find ourselves in, if we’ve prayed and haven’t received the answer we expected, God knows best.  Look for the way for God to receive glory in our weakness.  Just give in and let God have His way.  His grace is sufficient.  God promised!