Where does God’s Grace Abound
2 Corinthians 12:9
Wherefore, But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.“…
Grace is not attracted to the strengths of man according to Jesus in this verse, but grace abounds to the weaknesses of man. In the areas you think you are strong, there you could actually be weak lacking in having grace abound to your problem, but if you are struggling in some area that is the area where God can cause all Grace to abound for you. Paul sought the Lord three times to remove the messenger of satan who was causing problems for him. Then Jesus told Paul His Grace was all sufficiency for him. The word sufficient in this verse means; “to build up a defense against”. That is when Paul became excited and began to glory in his areas of weakness knowing a defense of Grace against the messenger of satan was about to fix the problems.
When Grace Abounds in Weakness
After Jesus said His grace was building a defense for Paul, he was inspired to write: “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Paul was not rejoicing that he was having problems since he had asked the Lord to remove these problems from him three times. He was rejoicing that Jesus explained to him that Grace was abounding to build up a defense against these problems so that he could overcome them. The rejoicing Paul was doing was causing abounding grace to build a defense over him. As he rejoiced in the Gift of Grace, the power of Christ rested on him. The word “rest” is like building a tent over him, completely protecting and delivering him from the elements of his struggles.
Five Areas where Grace Abounds
Paul mentioned five different areas Grace was abounding for him; “in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, and in distresses”. When these areas happen in our lives we can rejoice knowing for Christ’s sake a defense of abounding grace can be built up against them; “for when I am weak, then am I strong.” If satan causes sickness (infirmities), bearing of insults (reproaches), lack of prosperity in any way (necessities), people causing you difficulties in any manner (persecutions), or any manner you feel stress of any kind (distresses), if you will rejoice in God’s Grace, which can abound to you through Jesus, you will overcome these weaknesses. We are not more than conquerors through our love for Him, that is not how God gauges the abounding grace sent to help us. We are more than conquerors through Him because He loves us and saved us by His Grace through Jesus. As we claim His strength through Jesus’ free gift of righteousness, we receive the benefits of reigning over our problems through Jesus helping us.
Paul had God’s Grace for salvation and it was not functioning as a defense for him prior to learning these words of Jesus. The messenger of satan continued causing him problems until Paul rejoiced in the Grace defense Jesus had provided for him at the cross. By rejoicing in God’s Grace provided overcoming power to turn these situations around and he began overcoming these weakness through Jesus.
Beloved, Jesus has given us power in His name over every power of the enemy and nothing by any means can harm us. (Luke 10:19) As we find our refuge and strength in Him the tent of Grace begins covering us as a shelter against our problems. (Psalms 46:1) Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing in grace (Philippians 4:4-9).
