2 Corinthians 12:8-10 New International Version (NIV)
8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
PLEADED: make an emotional appeal
GRACE: unmerited favor-to impart strength to endure trial and resist the temptation
Paul begged not just once but three times for the Lord to take the situation, the hardship away from him, but God didn’t. God told Paul I am enough for you, through me you are able. You have my favor, and because of me, you can do it.
THEREFORE– (LOVE THAT WORD) as a result
DELIGHT– please greatly
IN WEAKNESS– what we aren’t strong in, what we lack
As a result of God, we can delight and rejoice when we are weak because it gives Christ the power to make us strong. It gives God something to work with. WOW! When was the last time you delighted when you had a hardship? When was the last time you delighted in something you knew wasn’t a strength? How many times have you delighted because of a thorn in your side? This is difficult, but it is Him and only through Him that we can find joy when we don’t think we can accomplish the task.
Now we are going to venture to Gideon (this story is found in Judges 7). Many of you know that Gideon didn’t think he had enough! Gideon had an assignment to defeat the Midianites. He wanted for God to let him know the whole plan, but God wasn’t going to do that and to top it off God was going to whither down his army. Gideon was going up against thousands of men. God wanted Gideon and his army to know that He was enough. God reduced the number in Gideon’s army from 32,000 to 300! Oh my! 300 men were going up against thousands. However, that didn’t matter because 300 was enough because God is enough. God enabled Gideon and his army to defeat the thousand and not even have to raise their swords.
Through scripture, we learn that no matter what our weakness, no matter what overwhelming odds we face, and even if we are afraid and doubt, we are enough because God is enough. So just like Gideon, Gideon’s fear didn’t exempt him from God; it didn’t push God away. What we must understand was that Gideon obeyed God even though his army seemed as if they were the underdog. Gideon obeyed even though he didn’t think he had enough soldiers. The willingness to obey and trust even though afraid allows God to stir up our courage.
Others in the Bible were given a task that pushed them to have to trust and obey God. Abraham was told he would be the father of nations, of course, that was going to happen thought Abraham and Sarah. Age was against them, BUT God was enough. Moses left his esteem job and herded sheep only for God to tell him through a burning bush that he had been chosen to lead a flock of people. He didn’t see how he could do this because he had a speech impediment, BUT God was enough. Jeremiah was told that God knew before he was born that he was a prophet. Jeremiah thought there is no way I can do the job I am too young, BUT God was enough.
When we are aware of our weaknesses and our need for Christ we yield ourselves to Him.
We waste precious time worrying when we have enough. God has equipped us with enough and what he doesn’t equip us with is something that isn’t suitable for us.
This doesn’t mean that we won’t have difficulties or that we will never make mistakes, but it means that you were made to be you as you are for His purpose. You are enough to do what God wants you to do.
No one is perfect; no goal will ever make you feel enough. It doesn’t matter what they think, or they do, or what they say, all that matters is you realize that you are enough.
God’s victory is not determined by human strength victory is found through him alone.
When we focus on God and comprehend that He is enough we understand that His grace and love are sufficient. Because of Him, YOU ARE ENOUGH.
CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK
- Keep your DAILY APPOINTMENT with God receiving His reminder that He is enough, so you are enough
- Dive into HIS WORD
- Keep in partnership with the HOLY SPIRIT, RENEWING THE MIND and being MINDFUL OF THE MIND
- Continue to FILL THEIR CUP
Prayers, Love & Hugs,
CUPCAKE
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