GRACE SUFFICIENT TO EVERY NEED II Cor. 12:9

I. What The Text Does Not Mean

A. Before we look at the meaning of the text let's first discover what it does not mean.

1. It doesn't mean that the circumstances in which you find yourselves are very hard and trying but God will help you to bear them.

2. God is not saying if it could have been avoided it would have been better but seeing it cannot be avoided, I am with you, I am going to help you.

3. Most of us have thought that the text means that it does include that but it means far more.

B. Let me give a very broad interpretation of the meaning.

1. That thorn in the flesh, that messenger of Satan is in my grace.

2. The thorn in the flesh is sent, the messenger of Satan is my messenger. This is not something against you but for you.

3. That hard and difficult circumstance is not something outside my province.

4. It is not something you get rid of with my help rather it is of my purpose and part of my plan.

C. Jesus is reigning above the powers of darkness and to the trusting soul, Satan himself is compelled to be a means of my grace.

1. Everything imposed upon you is under my control my grace is sufficient.

2. It is enough that you know that your suffering is part of my discipline and an evidence of my love.

II. To Prove This Idea Is Correct - Note the Context.

A. Paul says - It was a stake for or too my flesh - not in my flesh

1. The thought is crucifixion or suffering in the flesh.

2. It was a messenger of Satan to buffet me - repetition of trial.

B. We are told why these things came upon him.

1. It was in order that I not be exalted because of the greatness of the revelation I received.

2. He had been caught up into the third heaven and heard things he couldn't lawfully utter.

3. There was the specific purpose for the thorn and buffeting.

C. Then he tells how he three times begged God to remove these painful things.

1. That prayer was answered by God's word to his soul my grace is sufficient. He didn't want to hear that.

2. He wanted deliverance and healing - not grace

III. His Prayer Didn't Bring Removal But It Brought An Understanding That Whatever The Trial It Was Sent, Given - Appointed By God.

A. My grace is sufficient and my power is perfected in weakness.

1. Notice the effect this word had upon Paul

2. Most gladly, I will glory in my weakness that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Wherefore I take pleasure in weakness.

3. He doesn't say, I endure these things, I am resigned to these things. No, I take pleasure in them.

B. What a change from the complaint and cry for removal

1. I hear a man singing a song of triumph and victory.

2. This is something beyond the experience of a man who is thankful because God helps him to bear the thing which cannot be escaped.

3. This is far beyond the philosophy which says, what cannot be cured must be endured.

C. This man is no longer asking to be rid of it, he is now taking pleasure in it.

1. The stake in the flesh is no less painful but now I can see value in it.

2. God is using it to benefit me so I take pleasure in it.

3. What changed this man's dirge into a song ?

IV He Testifies That It Is God's Grace

A. What is the meaning of this great word- grace

I. The root idea is that which is pleasing to God

2. Inherent in the word is the idea of undeserved favor.

3. Grace is that aspect of love in God's heart that reaches out to bless and help us.

4. Grace is the doing of that which pleases Him -

It gives Him delight in the doing of it.

B. My Grace is Sufficient

1. If we are in the place God wants us, we are in the place of power even though at the moment it is the place of pain.

2. Neh 8:10 reads - the joy of the Lord is your strength

3. Nehemiah did not mean to say to them, if you will be happy then you will be strong.

4. He was saying - don't be afraid of the law of God.

5. The thing that makes His heart glad is your strength.

6. Your strength lies in the keeping of His Word, as you do this you bring Him joy. In giving Him joy you get His joy and that results in strength.

V. Let's Return Now To Our Text

A. My grace is sufficient for thee.

1. It is enough Paul for you to know that you are in the place that pleases me.

2. How can God be pleased in the suffering of His servant.

3. God can have such pleasure because He knows through the process of pain His servant will get the power that he has been seeking.

B. This precious word from God turned his dirge into song, his restlessness into peace without the removal of the actual pain

1 He was now conscious that his pain was part of His Fathers provision for his perfecting.

2. He that hath suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin.

VI. Where Did The Pain Come From?

A. The messenger is Satan - but behind it all and overruling all is his Father.

I. Until he ( Joseph ) saw the pain was under the supervising hand of His Father, he could not tolerate it.

2. Once he saw that the pain was part of the Devine plan, he could sing in the midst of it. He made a triumph out of his suffering.

3. There should be no anxiety in the life of a trusting soul other than finding out if this is the Fathers will for us.

B. God wants me to learn to rest in the place that he appoints for me.

1. Delight in the will of God and the darkest day cannot shut out the light from your life.

2. Somewhere in this house there is a broken and bruised soul, you have been crying out to God for deliverance from your pain.

3. God says to you - my grace is sufficient.

4. God's fires never harm God's saints. It only purifies them.

5. What his will appoints is best.

C. There are many who have had their prayers answered for the removal of difficulty but not for their blessing

1. I read in the Psalm - God gave them their request but sent leanness to their souls.

2. My last word is to those who are not in sorrow or difficulty.

D. If it be God's will that yours be a flowery pathway pluck all the flowers you can and enjoy their fragrance.

1. When presently the flowers fade and the sky is overcast.

2. If you abide in His will in the sunshine you will be triumphant in the shadow.