Grace to Endure

Paul spoke of a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan sent to harass him. Paul pleaded with the Lord three times to take away this thorn. The response from God was that his grace was sufficient to keep him. God’s power was perfected in Paul’s weakness. Paul was happy to boast in his weakness so that the power of Christ would rest upon him. He spoke of being content in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecution and calamities. It is when we are weak in the flesh when the spirit man is alive and renewed. Salvation is no longer living in the flesh, but Christ living in us. Our flesh decreases so that our spirit man can come alive in Christ Jesus.

Life comes with hardships and trials and it is the grace of God which gives us the strength to endure. Grace is God’s free gift and comes through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. By his grace we can overcome situations and circumstances that would be otherwise insurmountable. How many of us have gone through situations that would have broken someone else? God’s instructions to Isreal through the prophet Isaiah was, “fear not, for I have redeemed you and called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

This is saying that life will present challenges that will feel like fire, but we will not be burnt. We will pass through storms and waters but we will not drown. The reality is that as long as we are here on earth, the enemy will send darts after us. God is our shield, our defender and protector. “So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him” (Isaiah 59:19).

God will give you the grace to smile through the storms and to pass the tests of life. We are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ our Lord and the greater one lives in us. We keep our eyes on Jesus and on his promises so that the enemy has no power over us. We will not be afraid or put to shame as the greater one is on our side.

A.P.-Y.