FOLLOWING THE MASTER – A Lenten Devotional

15^th Day of Lent

February 26, 2016

Reflections on God's Grace – Part 1

Copyright 2016 Monica Hernandez

"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The Scriptures tell us that the apostle Paul had a burden, which he called Aa thorn in the flesh@ and though he sought the Lord three times for the relief of that burden, yet Paul was not relieved. However, the Lord told Paul that “His grace was sufficient for him, and His strength was made perfect in weakness.”

Jesus had paralleled "grace" with "strength," meaning spiritual strength.

Clearly, this Scripture indicates that though the Lord does not remove all thorns from our lives, yet He gives His grace as strength to endure afflictions and tribulations. And just as Jesus counselled Paul then, He would counsel us now concerning our burdens.

And since His grace is sufficient, and He replaces weakness with strength to endure, we know that we could rely on Him for relief of our burdens today in some way or form. In other words, there is always a way out and that way out is Jesus, our Master: the Way, the Truth and the Life.

The writings of Paul show us that he was well acquainted with God=s grace, for at another time, he told that it was by God's grace he was able to live in a simple, surrendered life for Christ. He also told that by God's grace he was able to communicate the gospel to others and more so to the Corinthians.

God=s grace is always sufficient for us whether He answers our prayers in the way we would like or not. And so, in all our struggles, whatever they may be, we can take courage, even if our Athorn in the flesh@ is not removed. We know that God will come through for us in some way. We can cast our burdens on Him and He would make them light.

Can you pause in this very moment and consider the times in your life when God=s grace came through for you? Maybe, by His grace, He gave you just what you asked for; maybe He didn’t give you what you asked for, but walked with you through your struggles, giving you comfort and strength to endure. Count those times and thank Him for His grace.
SUGGESTED READINGS: Psalm 84:11; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2 Corinthians 12:9.
PRAYER: "Thank you Father, for all your blessings, most of all, thank you for your grace in helping me to endure whatever I must endure. Amen."

THOUGHT FOR TODAY