January 7, grace denied and supplied.

Through many tribulations, we must enter the kingdom of God.

X-1422.

The need for inner strength arises not just from the depletions of everyday stress, but from the suffering

and afflictions that come from time to time and they do come. Suffering is inevitably added

to heart weariness on the way to heaven. When it comes, the heart may waver, and the narrow way

that leads to life may look impossibly hard. It's hard enough to have a narrow road and steep hills

that test the old jalopy strength to the limit, but what shall we do when the car breaks down?

Paul cried out three times with this question because of some affliction in his life.

He asked for relief from his thorn in the flesh.

But God's grace did not come in the form, he asked.

It came in another form.

Christ answered,

My grace is sufficient for you.

My power is made perfect in weakness.

2 Corinthians 12-9.

Here we see grace given in the form of Christ's sustaining power in unrelieved affliction.

One grace given, we could say, within the circle of another grace denied.

And Paul responded with faith in the sufficiency of this future grace.

Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses,

so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12-9

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