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

So we have established that His grace is enough because we have the favor of Jesus as He assists, strengthens and bears our troubles. What really makes this significant is the fact that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

Well, what does that really mean to you and to me? In the last post, I asked you if God could use our weaknesses for His glory?

The answer to that question is an emphatic “Yes!”  The benefit of God’s sufficient grace in the midst of our troubles, weaknesses and infirmities is that God’s mighty power is complete and He is glorified.

 So what are some of the weaknesses or troubles that you are struggling with at this time?  Maybe you deal with a chronic physical disease or financial issues.  Perhaps there are some really negative circumstances occurring in your life right now. Or, you feel overwhelmed by all that you are doing!

Whatever you may be facing in your life that you feel is unbearable or pulls you down like Paul’s thorn in the flesh, remember that God will bear it for you and be glorified because of the demonstration of His mighty power!

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

This verse is found in the context of what Paul was writing to the Corinthians about his own personal situation. He was reflecting on the revelations that he had experienced and how because of these revelations and not wanting to become conceited, he had been given a thorn in his flesh. There is great speculation as to what that weakness might have been, but no definitive answer.

Although Paul had this particular weakness, he did not let it deter him from his ministry especially when the Lord said that His grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in weakness. Paul could rest in God’s sufficient grace – it was more than adequate, it was enough for Paul and it is enough for us as well.

What is the meaning of grace in this verse? It is the “favor of Christ, assisting and strengthening his followers and ministers to bear their troubles” (Thayer’s Lexicon)

Wow! The favor of Christ, assisting, strengthening and bearing our troubles and it is enough! Take a moment to think about a weakness in your own life. How is Jesus taking care of that weakness for you? What does His sufficient grace look like in your life?

Can God use our weaknesses for His glory? Think about that question – to be continued…

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As Jesus was preparing to leave this earth through His death and resurrection, He took the time to do something that was very ordinary in the culture of the day, and yet, very extraordinary for His disciples. It was the night of the Passover Feast. The meal was being served and Jesus got up, wrapped a towel around His waist and began washing the feet of each of the disciples. He knew that this would be one of the last opportunities to demonstrate the full extent of His love (John 13:1).

What a beautiful example not only for His disciples but for us as well. Galations 5:13b says that we are to serve one another humbly in love. The love in this verse is agape love, the same type of love found in John 13:1. The Lord wants us to serve one another with the highest motivation there is: Love.

Thinking about this humble demonstration of love causes us to wonder how we should carry this out when it comes to those we minister to as well as our co-laborers. Here is a short list of some practical suggestions to get us started:

• Write notes of encouragement
• Pray with one another
• Take time to listen to each other
• Invite someone to a meal at your home or take a meal to their home
• Read Scripture with another person
• Provide respite for a family for an evening
• Remember birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions with cards and notes

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Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”  John 14:1-4

Imagine you are one of Jesus’ disciples and He is speaking these words of comfort to you. What would you think, feel or do in response to His words of comfort?

Jesus wanted to assure His disciples that there was a Person they could trust in, a Place that was being prepared for them and a Promise that He would come back for them so that they would always be with Him.

Jesus urged them to put their trust in God and in Him. He knew that He would soon be leaving them here on earth and going to His home in heaven. He wanted them to feel secure in their relationship for all of eternity.

He also revealed that He would go ahead of them to get things ready at the place where they would spend all of eternity because of their belief in Him.

Finally, Jesus promised that they would not be alone but that He would be there too!

Recently my family experienced the loss of two very special people. When I read this passage, it brought a world of comfort to me personally because I am trusting in Jesus and looking forward to the day I will spend eternity with Him and these special loved ones!

How about you? May these words bring assurance and comfort to you amidst life’s circumstances and may you pass these words of comfort along to someone else. Remember to trust the Person, know that there is a Place for you and believe that the Promise of eternal life is true!

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