His Grace Is Sufficient

Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me.                                                                                                                                             -2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Some people interpret this Scripture by saying, “Well, that means that after Paul prayed three times, God replied, No, I want you to keep that “thorn.” You need it. It will keep you humble and pious.

No, that isn’t what God meant! God said, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

What is God’s grace? It’s God’s unmerited favor given to us in the form of His Word, His name, His kingdom, His Spirit, His healing, His power and His authority. God’s grace is the source of the unmerited blessings He sent us through Jesus Christ. We didn’t deserve any of those blessings, but Jesus made us righteous so we could deserve them. That’s the measure of God’s grace, and He told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

One aspect of God’s grace is the name of Jesus. Jesus delegated His authority, might and dominion to us through His name. Then He said in Mark 16:17, “In my name shall [believers] cast out devils.”

Jesus was telling Paul, “Look, I’ve given you everything you need to get rid of that evil messenger. Now just take authority over it.” He was not saying, “I want you to keep that thorn in the flesh, Paul. You need it to help you stay humble and pious.”

No, God was actually telling Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you. Don’t go after that messenger of Satan in your own strength—go in My strength. From the position of your own weakness, make use of My strength. Resist the devil in the name of Jesus, and he’ll flee from you!”

CONFESSION:

God’s grace is sufficient for me in every area of my life. He has given me the name of Jesus—the name that is greater than any other power that can come against me. Through faith in Jesus’ name, I am healed and made strong!

From: A Devotional for Divine Health Prescription for a Miracle, Mark Brazee, 1999