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

Of all the things God gives us, grace is probably the most important, because without grace, we couldn’t receive anything else! Grace is the very foundation of our relationship with God, because we don’t deserve anything but His wrath. The mystery isn’t why bad things happen to “good people,” it’s why good things happen to any of us! The Bible is very clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) However, the wonderful news is that God’s grace is indeed sufficient, as He told Paul. On top of that, as He said, His power is manifested fully in our weakness. Any time we think we are strong in ourselves, we block God from manifesting His power through us. Guess who has more power! We tend toward pity parties, bemoaning all the bad things in our lives, instead of praising God in grateful amazement for all the good things He pours out on us in pure grace. That’s why it takes someone like John Newton, who, though raised by a Christian mother, descended to the depths of human depravity, to write lyrics as sublime as those to “Amazing Grace.” He knew full well that he could never atone for his own sins, but that Christ had done it for him on the cross. It is only when we get that firmly through our heads and hearts that we realize fully that God’s grace is indeed sufficient for us, and stop griping about everything else.

As I was typing that I was thinking how my ministry is one of trying to communicate that to others. Then I typed the last sentence, and realized how much it applies to me! Actually, I do spend a good bit of time trying to help people take their eyes off of themselves and recognize the magnificence of God’s grace toward them, but that doesn’t mean I don’t grumble in my own heart. That just proves my human foolishness! Paul at least stopped after three times, but some things I gripe about for years! God has been amazingly gracious toward me, and I am indeed grateful, but I take far too much of it for granted. When we wallow in abundance, we too often fail to recognize any of it for what it is. I get very frustrated sometimes with young people who expect everything to be handed to them on a silver platter, not realizing how much of that attitude I display myself. I need to trust God that His plans are good and that His grace is indeed sufficient, and not gripe about what I happen to go through along the way.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I need it all too frequently! Help me indeed walk in grateful obedience at all times, not taking Your abundant provision for granted but giving You the praise and worship You deserve. May I be increasingly effective in leading others to do the same, so that together we may be the church that You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!