Grace Sufficient
Grace Sufficient
The world says, “What can’t be cured must be endured.”
Christians say, “What can’t be cured can be enjoyed.”
Do you believe that?
The apostle Paul assures us it is possible when he writes, “most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities” (2 Corinthians 12:9, KJV). His thorn was still sharp, his wounds were still deep.
But he found God’s grace to be more than adequate.
Grace. It was available and abundant to me last week when I entered the hospital for minor surgery. Because of my disability, no surgery is really minor. My doctors had to take all kinds of weird, complex precautions: special anesthesia, special pre-op preparations, special i.v. hookups, specialized monitoring of my blood pressure and pulse, even extra hours in recovery.
As I was awake for the operation, it didn’t occur to me until halfway through that I ought to be panicking. Tubes in and out of me, blood pressure shooting up and down, oxygen mask … the works. What did occur to me halfway through was that I was humming a hymn.
Grace, grace, God’s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within …
My Jewish doctors didn’t seem to mind the serenade.
This is going to sound crazy, but that was one operation I not only endured, but enjoyed. Why? Because God’s grace is not only adequate, it is available for every time of need. We don’t have to plead for it, beg for it, or do penance to be worthy of it. No. God’s grace—His love in action—is not a favor for which we must implore, it is a gift we are invited to enjoy.
We don’t need to ask God to make His grace sufficient for us; He has already assured us that whatever the hardship, there is an equal and compensating amount of grace ready and available for the taking. Grace has been given and it only remains for us to receive it.
How wide and deep and high and long the promise of that grace really is! It is sufficient.
So whatever your particular heartache or headache, approach the throne of grace with confidence so that you may find grace to help you in your time of need.
Drink deep of it. It’s yours. And it’s enough.