[Devotional] IN HIS PRESENCE: His grace is sufficient for you

Read: 2 CORINTHIANS 12:7-10

Meditation verse:

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made  perfect in weakness…” (2 Corinthians 12:9a).

The bible does not specifically state what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” was. But  whatever it was, it must have been uncomfortable because he pleaded with God  on three occasions to take it away. He seemed desperate to get rid of. When God in His infinite wisdom refused Paul’s appeal, he did not let the ‘thorn in his  flesh’ prevent him from fulfilling his ministry. He recognized God as His true  source of strength and knew he could depend on His power to remain effective  and useful. By affirming God’s strength, he accepted his reality and refused to  let it stop him. 

There may be challenges or weaknesses in your life that have lingered on for  years and you desperately need God’s intervention. Are you sitting around,  waiting for God to make them disappear? He may decide to allow you to live  with it. He has already been made His grace available to you. Grace is an enabler  that propels you forward even in difficult situations, so appropriate His grace.  You appropriate God’s grace by repeatedly declaring it over that situation and  walking in its consciousness. If for instance, you recognize that you have a  temper and are prone to outbursts of anger, you need to live in the  consciousness that God’s grace is available to help you exercise self-control.  Rather than giving in to angry outbursts when faced with an upsetting situation, why not declare: “Lord, Your grace is sufficient for me, Your strength is here to  help me stay calm. I depend on it over my weakness. I surrender my will to yours”.  

“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). The  change you desire may not happen instantly, but as you continue speaking God’s  word over that situation, you will ultimately experience victory. This same  principle will work for a recovering alcoholic, a sex maniac or a drug addict who  has surrendered his will to God. If you are battling with fear, self-doubt or low  self-esteem, the grace to forge ahead is in you. Tap into it and press forward.  Make decisions and act, despite your struggles. Do not let them stop you, for when you are weak, then you are strong in the power of Christ.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Pst (Mrs) Oke Chinye, Founder of The Rock Teaching Ministry (TRTM).

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