2 Corinthians 12:9 - But He (Jesus) 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.
Do you need an upgrade? Whatever device you use, upgrades are part of life. If you are online, your computer and your software need to be up to date. If you are on your smartphone, the operating system needs to be up to date as well. The necessity for updates is not simply derived from the desire for better things. No, in our world, they are a necessity.
Upgrades and updates are important because there are people who want to steal your data. Sadly, there are people who like to destroy your computers for fun. In order to stave off cyber threats, companies must constantly update their software. In order to use the internet or anything connected to the cloud, we must update our devices or upgrade our technology in order to be safe.
But wouldn't it be great if what we had for our software, spyware, and hardware was totally sufficient—for all time—and not just adequate for the moment? Wouldn't it be nice if our computers and phones no longer issued upgrade or update notices?
Well, that's the tension in our lesson for today. The apostle Paul thought he needed an upgrade for his life. He had a thorn in his flesh. He had a condition that made him feel insufficient. He prayed to the Lord to remove it. But Jesus did not address the insufficiency in Paul. Instead, He reminded Paul that His grace is sufficient for the apostle in all things.
In a world in which everything is in constant need of a better solution, a fresh idea, or the "next big thing," God teaches us to rest securely in His grace. Psalm 46:10a says it this way: "Be still, and know that I am God." Stop. Think. Remember. His grace is sufficient for you.
We can rest in God because He has accomplished all that we need. Jesus, on the cross, said, "It is finished" (see John 19:30). Elsewhere, Paul reminds the Corinthians that no matter how many promises God has made, they are all Yes! in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 1:20). Your sins are forgiven. Eternal life is yours.
And, incredibly, this God who provides for all our spiritual needs is with us every day as well. He invites us to trust in Him for daily bread. He encourages us to trust that He will care for us more than He does the sparrows and the plants.
Updates, upgrades ... for your computers, for your phones, yes, but for your life with God, no! God tells us that His grace for us in Christ is sufficient. Period! Think about what this word from God to you really means, for life today, tomorrow, and forever.
WE PRAY: Heavenly Father, grant me the confidence to believe that Jesus is all I need. Amen.
From "Sufficient Grace for Our Glaring Deficiencies," a message from Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, former Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Reflection Questions:
1. What do you do to refresh your perspective when you're in a rut?
2. What are three promises of God you hold especially near and dear?
3. In what ways can you be a source of refreshment to others?
Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 120-122 2 Thessalonians 2
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