But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
The Sonoran Desert of Arizona and northwestern Mexico flourishes with varieties of cacti not seen anywhere else. In addition to the tall, armed saguaros, an iconic image of the American Southwest, is a cactus known as cholla (pronounced choy-ya). This particular species has a reputation for being a “jumping cactus” because of the ease with which cactus stems attach to passersby when even lightly brushed against. With the slightest touch, a person will find bits of cactus dangling from clothes or, worse yet, skin. The often very fine needles can be painful and difficult to remove.
In the context of today’s verse, Paul was dealing with a painful experience he called a “thorn in the flesh.” It was far more than cactus needles that could be removed. It was continual and debilitating. He wanted healing. He prayed urgently for the Lord to take the pain away. Yet, as God sometimes does, He told His much-loved apostle, “No.” In His mercy, God said, “My grace is sufficient.”
New Testament scholar and professor, Dr. Philip Hughes wrote, “The Lord’s answers to prayer are never negative, except in a superficial and proximate sense; for essentially and in the ultimate issue they are fully positive, and directed to the eternal blessing of His people.” Irish theologian Frederick Whitfield said, “God’s way of answering His people’s prayers is not by removing the pressure, but by increasing their strength to bear it.”
Bible commentary writer Warren Wiersbe said, “God did not give Paul any explanations; instead, He gave him a promise: ‘My grace is sufficient for thee.’ We do not live on explanations; we live on promises. Our feelings change, but God’s promises never change. Promises generate faith, and faith strengthens hope. Paul claimed God’s promise and drew on the grace that was offered to him.”
In the old hymn, “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” there is a line that says, “All sufficient grace for even me, even me.” Are you feeling the stings of life’s jumping cactus? Have you accepted that God’s plan for change might just be to let you know He has something else in mind, something where His grace will overwhelm your distress? If not, then a song the Oak Ridge Boys used to sing might need to be your theme today, “Now let us have a little talk with Jesus; Let us tell Him all about our troubles; He will hear our faintest cry, And He will answer by and by.”
There are some in government who are dealing with unspoken miseries and afflictions—others with problems clearly visible. Include sufficient grace for them in your prayers today.
Today’s Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10
I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
