WEEK THREE | DAY FOUR
“…but he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” —2 Corinthians 12:9
Judges 13-16 tells the story of Samson, another historical figure who points to Christ. Samson’s story is one of both power and weakness. He was a judge of Israel, strong and mighty, often victorious, a Nazarite committed to God and his laws. He was certainly more powerful than most of us. But he was still unable to fulfill the Law or to save himself, let alone Israel. In his successes and failures, Samson points to the need for someone far greater who can remain faultless and be the true and final Judge. He points toward the One who truly redeems His people and fulfills the promise of conquered sin. We are saved not by the Law but by that glorious, undeserved gift of grace—Jesus!
Sufficient means enough. God’s grace is exactly what we need—no more, no less. Theologian Michael Horton says, “The Gospel is not Christ plus our spiritual disciplines, Christ plus free will, Christ plus our acts of love and service to others, or Christ plus our pious experiences, but Christ alone. All our salvation is found in Christ, not in ourselves” (Putting Amazing Back in Grace, page 15).
Most of us spend our lives searching for what’s “enough.” We can be easily convinced that material items, good deeds, grand adventures or other gods will bring us satisfaction. But it’s never enough. It’s not even a tiny part of enough.
Only God’s grace in Christ is sufficient. We need not search elsewhere or claim self-sufficiency. In fact, His grace shines all the brighter in the presence of our weakness, because He is present there, too! When His grace, His power, are seen in their miraculous sufficiency, all the glory goes to God!