One of the graces that comes with the blessing of our faith is hope, a hope that no one can comprehend but those who have been born-again, but there is something I have noticed, even in myself at times, that while true, should never be the foundation of our hope, and it is this saying.
“It will be better someday.”
I say this because of the truth of 2nd Corinthians 12:9.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
His grace that is sufficient is sufficient for every trial and tribulation, for every moment of grief, anguish, sorrow and pain.
This may be difficult for some of you to understand, and I openly admit, I also have much difficulty with this truth at times, but the truth of His grace being sufficient for all things overrides John 14:14, “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”
It trumps Mark 9:23, “Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
And it even overshadows Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
You pray for healing; it does not happen. His grace is sufficient.
You pray fervently for one you love deeply to come to the knowledge of the saving grace of the Lord, and they still die in their sins. My grace is sufficient.
You pray without wavering, with no doubts that your prayer is of faith, that it is the desire of your heart, and the answer is “No, my grace is sufficient.”
This is a lesson we must all learn, and in all truth my friends, it may be the most important lesson we will ever be taught on the path to that straight gate.
“But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” (Heb. 5:14)
Faith is tested when the answer is no, when our prayers are not answered as we would desire them to be, faith, true faith in the Living God walks through the valley of the shadow of death even when there is no doubt that we are going to die there.
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” (Romans 8:24)
We pray in faith, we hope our prayers are going to be answered as we want them to be, but our faith is not hindered when they are not, our hope does not suffer in any way. Only those who are truly hid in Christ can say, “Thy will be done,” when He says, “My grace is sufficient.”
I could be mistaken here, but I do not recall any of the Lord Jesus Christ’s apostles ever asking to be healed of anything, I think they knew His grace was sufficient. I do not recall our Lord saying that to anyone but to Paul, and I believe whatever that thorn was in his side, the pain, whether physical or mental, had become in his mind too much to bear. But when he heard those words, he understood.
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,” (Phil. 3:8)
To gain Christ means to understand that His grace is sufficient, it means “Thy will be done,” it is, in a sense, the last step to dying to ourselves.
“No, my grace is sufficient.”
“Then I will need your strength, for no man or woman can endure this without you.”
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” (Psalm 28:7)
Hope never fades if it is based in faith on the promises of the Word of God, if it is a faith that rests solely upon the Lord Jesus Christ. But it must be tested, not for His sake, but for ours.
If you desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, if you truly desire to have the heart of a humble and willing servant, one who has set his face towards all that you do for the glory of God, then you must be willing to accept, no matter what your request may be, that His grace is sufficient.
