Daily Devotional: Wednesday, March 10

Speaker: Ben Sigman

Theme: Grace

Weekend Music links on iTunes: Yesterday, Today and Forever by Vicky Beeching; The Time Has Comeby Hillsong United; Your Nameby Paul Baloche; Need You Hereby Hillsong; Til I See Youby Hillsong.

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Think: What a couple of years we've been through! So much upheaval in our economy, we've seen earthquakes and tsunamis rock parts of our world and the personal struggles have taken such a toll as well. I'm ready for the upturn that so many talking heads are saying is coming! I bet you are too!

Only the Lord know what is ahead for us, but I do know that God does some of His best work during our seasons of trouble. I don't believe that He causes the difficulties, but I absolutely am sure He takes those troubles and weaves something really good out of them!  

Pastor Ben talked about the Apostle Paul and the "affliction" he was facing which we read about in today's scripture passage. Paul wanted relief from his suffering. But God said to him, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." God didn't take away the problem. Instead, He gave Paul the grace to live with it. God could have healed whatever the trouble was, but in His infinite wisdom and amazing grace He allowed Paul to live with it but with the blessing of grace to endure.

As I think about the people in my life with the deepest faith, the most vibrant walk with Christ there seems to be a common tie: each of these wonderful people have faced some really difficult times. They've endured hurt or loss that would make a lesser person give up. But through God's sufficient grace they not only endured they were able to truly shine!   

What affliction are you under today? What trouble do you need to lean heavily into God's amazing grace to help you make it through? Whether afflicted or not, victory is ours for those who trust in Christ. Some days we need to just stand back up dust ourselves off, trust in God's sufficient grace and keep moving ahead... one step closer to the ultimate victory of His return.

Do: What have you been seeking God's healing or intervention for? Invite His amazing grace into the situation and see what He wants to accomplish in you as you endure with His grace to carry you through.  

Pray: God, I don't want to endure the trouble or challenges that come my way. In my humanness I want your healing and your Divine intervention to stop what hurts. But today I choose Your will not mine and ask for your grace that is sufficient, your grace that brings me to closer to You. Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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