God's Glory Church

Think of a situation you would like to change, and imagine what the apostle Paul must have been going through in 2 Corinthians 12.

Paul was suffering and therefore constantly begged God to relieve him of his pain. But God does not change Paul’s situation. Instead, God tells Paul that His grace is sufficient for him.

The ancient Greek word charis, which means grace, reflects the favor that God expressed to mankind when He sent Jesus to earth for us.

Before Jesus, people could not approach God on their own. But Jesus paved the way that allows each of us to experience closeness to God. A relationship with God cannot be earned, it is a free gift we receive when we accept that Jesus died for us and rose from the dead.

So when God tells Paul that His “grace is sufficient,” He is essentially saying, “I am sufficient for you.”

God could meet Paul’s need because God was the only thing Paul needed, and God was with him. Paul was influential only because God chose to demonstrate His power through him.

God said: “Out of darkness light shines.” It shone in our hearts to enrich us with the light of the knowledge of the glory of God, which shines in the person of Jesus Christ. But we, like clay jars, who hold this treasure, to show that this supreme power belongs to God, and not to us.
2 Corinthians 4:6-7

We are similar to “clay jugs” – simple and not so exceptional. But by submitting our lives to God, we become vessels that demonstrate His power.

Then, like Paul, we can boast of our own weakness, so that everything good that happens to us is due to God.

Our situation may remain the same, but our cry often changes from “God, please deliver me from this suffering!” to “God, when I suffer, show me how You use this suffering for Your glory and for my good!”

So no matter what you are going through, know that God is there. He sees you and loves you. Take time today to ask God to show you how He empowers you. Draw close to Him and let Him strengthen you.