Sufficient Grace from Thoughts
of God by John McDuff, 1864 How precious are your thoughts unto
me, O God! My grace is sufficient for you,
for my strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians chapter
12 verse 9. The apostle's thoughts were desponding
ones when his God whispered in his ear this precious thought
of comfort. A thorn in the flesh, a messenger
from Satan, had been sent to buffet him. We know not what
this thorn may have been. God purposely leaves it unidentified,
that each may make an individual application to his own particular
case and circumstances. But who, in their diversified
and checkered experience, has not to tell of some similar trial?
Some dead fly in life's otherwise fragrant ointment? Some sorrow
which casts a softened shadow over perhaps an otherwise sunny
path? infirm health, worldly loss,
domestic problems, family bereavement, the discharge of arduous and
painful duty, the treachery of tried and trusted friends, the
sting of wounded pride or disappointed ambition, the fierce struggle
with inward corruption and unmortified sin, the scorpion dart of a violated
and accusing conscience, and the world all the time. perhaps
little knowing or dreaming of the inward conflict, the lifelong
trial, the fountain of tears, though a fountain sealed. As
the Apostle earnestly entreated that his thorn might be taken
away, so may you, reader, also have prayed fervently and long
that your trial might be averted, your sorrow mitigated, if not
removed. You doubtless imagined that it
would be far better were this messenger of Satan, the spirit
of evil, exercised and cast out. But here again God's thoughts
are often not our thoughts. What was the answer to the Apostle's
earnest petition when three times he pleaded with the Lord to take
it away? It was not granting the removal
of the trial, but it was better. It was the promise of grace to
bear it. And he said unto me, my grace
is sufficient for you. It was enough, he asked no more. He may have demurred at first
to the strange answer, so unlike what he expected, so unlike what
he wished. But he was led before long not
only to joyfully acquiesce, but heartily to own and acknowledge
the higher and better wisdom of the divine procedure. Most
gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities that
the power of Christ may rest upon me. This too may be God's
dealings with you. Often and again it may be. Have you taken your hidden sorrow,
the burdening secret of your heart, laid it on the mercy seat,
and with importunate tears implored that it might be taken away?
Yet the sorrow still remains. But nevertheless, remember, the
prayer is not unanswered. It has been answered. Not perhaps
according to your thoughts or desires, but according to the
better thoughts and purposes of your Heavenly Father. The
thorn is still left to pierce and lacerate, but strength has
been given to bear it. The trial, be what it may, has
taught you as it did Paul the lesson of your own weakness and
your dependence on divine aid. It has been a needful drag on
your chariot wheels, a needful clipping of your wings, lest,
like the great Apostle, you should be exalted above measure. Who
can complain of the heaviest of sorrows if they have thus
been the means alike of revealing to us our own weakness and of
endearing to us the all-sufficient grace of a Savior God? blessed
comforting assurance in all time of our need that God will deal
out the requisite grace seated by us like a kind physician with
his hand on our pulse. He will watch our weakness and
accommodate the divine supply to our several needs and circumstances. He will not allow the thorn to
pierce too far. He will not allow the temptation
to go beyond what we are able to endure. The Lord knows how
to deliver the godly out of temptation. As your day, so shall your strength
be. Grace sufficient will be given,
sufficient for every emergency. His everlasting arms are ever
lower than our troubles. I will go forth bearing my cross,
fortified with the assurance and breathing the prayer. Summon
your might, O God. Display your power, O God, as
you have in the past. Do not be afraid, for I am with
you. Do not be dismayed, for I am
your God. I will strengthen you. I will
help you. I will uphold you with my victorious
right hand. you