2 Corinthians 12:6-10 – “For if I do wish to boast I shall not be foolish, for I shall be speaking the truth; but I refrain from this, so that no one may credit me with more than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me — to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  NASB

            In our last devotional, we considered that this Grace is Sufficient for Salvation.  Today, I want us to move to the next consideration of the sufficiency of this grace of God.

This Grace Is Sufficient in Tribulation.

In America and some other sectors of the world, persecution is not something we are accustomed to experiencing.  However, the Bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12 – “And indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”  That is not a suggestion that it might happen but a warning that it will happen.  Jesus warned us that the world will hate us and hate always seeks to persecute.

I have heard declarations of ‘suffering for Jesus’ and realized that the suffering being described was not having the lavishness of life rather than real suffering.  Paul suffered for the cause of Christ.  The world demands compromise, but Paul said, “No.”  The attitude exhibited in Queen Esther was in Paul and the other disciples, “If I perish, I perish.  Who shall we obey, God or man?” 

In today’s world and some of today’s churches, the demand is to have inclusion to the point that we compromise our convictions and ignore God’s directives.  I have been told that we have to modify our message and tone it down in order to attract the world.  My attitude is the attitude expressed by the early church and declared by Jesus.  “If He is lifted up, He will draw people to Himself.”  We do not need to move toward the world but present an answer to the problems, ills, troubles, and battles of life.  We need to be people who are different and demonstrate the Grace of God in all things and at all times.  We do not need a new definition of morality; we need a new commitment to God’s call for us to be Holy as He is Holy.

The only time an army ‘strikes’ or takes down its colors (flag) is when it is defeated or on the run.  We are neither so we must never let down our standards and seek Him above all and in all. 

Paul made a powerful declaration in 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” 

Sickness may come, but God’s Grace is Sufficient.  Grief may strike, but God’s Grace is Sufficient.  Poverty may become a present reality, but God’s Grace is Sufficient.  Soul sickness may surface, but God’s Grace is Sufficient.  Never lose sight that “My Grace is sufficient for you…”

In all of Paul’s sufferings, he never lost sight of the vision God placed in his heart.  He not only had hope in this life but was confident of God’s promises and faithfulness.  He knew that God’s Grace would carry him through everything he faced and transport him to heaven at the end of his journey. 

I want to address this more, but for now, I encourage you to look up if you are battling difficulty and hold to the reality and promise that God’s Grace is sufficient.

Have a Great Day in Jesus!