Life is full of ups and downs. You like it when you are on that mountain top experience. At that time, nothing seems to go wrong. You have the bull by the horns, and everything you touch turns to gold.
Although you are ecstatic when life is on cloud nine, you know that there is a dark side to this outlook on life. It is when devastation strikes, and it is a struggle to see any light at the end of the tunnel. You try as hard as you can, but you quickly realize that in your own strength, you know you need help. You turn to God and he gives the strength you need.
In that hour of need the Lord offers His grace. Donald Grey Barnhouse was a vibrant pastor and Bible scholar of the last century. In talking about grace, he said this, “Love that reaches up is adoration. Love that reaches across is affection. Love that reaches down is grace.” Yes, God’s love is a heavenly love, and His grace is a divine grace. You do not deserve the love you receive from God; that is why it is grace. Grace is receiving what you do not deserve.
Paul had some kind of affliction that is not revealed in the Scriptures. One thing you know for sure, though, is that it was extremely severe. Paul goes to the Lord and asks that the affliction be removed. God does not remove it. In fact, this happens three times. Paul asks, for the removal of the severe pain he was experiencing, three times. The Lord’s answer is plain and simple, “And he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness’” (2 Cor. 12:9). God is saying in so many words that all you need is the Lord.
In order to survive when the bottom falls out, the Lord tells you to lean completely on His grace. What you need at that time is a rock and a fortress. That is found in God’s grace!
