Our Right to Rejoice: Our Persistence in Rejoicing
Sufficient Grace – Part 1

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

If consistent rejoicing is dependent on our mood—our feelings—then no one could truly be obedient to the command to “rejoice always.” I certainly have plenty of times in my life when my flesh doesn’t want to or feel like rejoicing. Our right to rejoice is a fact, not a feeling. We choose to rejoice every day because of who God is and what He has promised.

In today’s printed key verse, we see one of the great promises of God. The Apostle Paul is describing, in the surrounding verses, his “thorn in the flesh;” a messenger of Satan that he asked God to remove. Though there has been much speculation on the “thorn,” no one really knows what Paul is referring to. The point is not what the thorn was, but what God’s answer was! God told Paul, “My grace will be sufficient and my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God’s grace, His presence and power, is promised to us when our flesh is being attacked! In this world the attacks are inevitable. We, as God’s children, can depend on His grace to be sufficient for every need. Grace has been defined as God’s unmerited favor. When we hurt, God will give us “favor” to balance the pain. That means we can always rejoice. We can find bright spots to focus on, rather than grumble about the bad. Yes, we must be persistent to turn to rejoicing, but as we put forth our best, God’s grace will complete the task!

Father, I am determined today to keep rejoicing. Please remind me if I start to complain. I want to shine for you! In Jesus’ Name, amen.