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Simply Grace

Read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Life on planet Earth is filled with trials and tribulations. They are constantly coming at us like waves to the shore. As Jesus said: “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33).

James, Jesus’s half-brother, knew about trials and tribulations. As the leader of the church in Jerusalem, he faced opposition from both the Romans and the Jews. Out of that experience, he wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2).

Each trial we face in life raises the question, is Jesus enough? We’re not always sure. Sometimes we doubt and even worry that he will not be enough. But time and time again, Jesus proves that he is. And each time he does, he moves our faith down the road to maturity. James put it this way: “You know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:3-4).

Paul learned the same lesson when he was struggling with his thorn in the flesh. He prayed that the Lord would remove it, but God had another answer in mind—“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Jesus’s power finds its full strength in us when we are most dependent on him.

Sometimes, however, we try to take the bull by the horns. “I’ve got this, Lord.” But that attitude never works out very well. It’s a trap that turns our eyes away from Jesus. It’s an attitude that forces us to lean on our own understanding and rely on our human effort. When we plow ahead, we only make matters worse. Jesus told us plainly, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The Bible encourages us to boast gladly about our weaknesses. It is not the way of the world. It’s the way of grace. And in this weakness, Christ’s power rests on us.

Jesus is enough. His grace is more than adequate for any circumstance or problem.

For further study, read these passages: Romans 5:1-5; James 1:1-16; 1 Peter 1:1-9, 5:5-7.

In what ways have you discovered that God’s grace is sufficient for you?

Adapted from Simple Gospel, Simply Grace by Bob Christopher.