Saturday December 30, 2023

2 Corinthians 12:9
[The Lord] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you,
for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

It’s hard for us to imagine the apostle Paul in a state of weakness, but a perusal of 2 Corinthians chapters 6 and 11 shows us that he suffered terribly as an apostle for the sake of Christ. The most unique experience with weakness that Paul had was one we can learn the most from because it was unnamed. It is the sustaining principle, not the specific problem, that is important.

Paul was made weak by some affliction, and it no doubt concerned him because of its likely impact on his future ministry. How could he serve if he was sidelined by a serious problem? But God said, “Trust Me, Paul. I know the future and your future. I will give you grace to do all you need to do.” And He did. Paul became thankful for his weakness because it highlighted God’s strength. Just as God knew Paul’s future, so He knows yours. If you are worried about your future, perhaps this coming year—especially if you see limitations on your horizon—trust God. The same grace He gave to Paul, He will give to you.

Your future is not bigger than God, nor are your limitations larger than His grace. Your faith in Him means your future is with Him.

Trust the past to God’s mercy, the present to God’s love,
and the future to God’s providence.
ST. AUGUSTINE

David Jeremiah, Turning Points with God: 365 Daily Devotions (Tyndale, 2014)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.