Sermon for 2/12/23: Sexagesima

 CLICK HERE for the sermon audio.

CLICK HERE for the sermon video.

Sufficient Grace
II Corinthians 11:19-12:9

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

 

One might be tempted to think that the Lord would protect a faithful servant such as St. Paul from trouble. But that is not always God’s way, as many of us have learned from first-hand experience. Paul endured hardship and danger that would have stopped most people. He had been shipwrecked, imprisoned, beaten, and stoned. He faced poverty, hunger, and the violent opposition of the pagan as well as the Jews. And to all of this was added yet another affliction, “a thorn...in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me,” as he described it. We don’t know what this affliction was. But whatever it was, it was so terrible that the apostle implored God to take it away. Three times, when the affliction no doubt seemed unbearable, he prayed for relief.

If the great Apostle to the Gentiles was called on to endure such things, we need not wonder that troubles and afflictions come our way, too. If we expect only good days in the service of the Lord because we are His faithful children, we are only deceiving ourselves. And there is good reason why God does not give even His faithful followers a guarantee of freedom from affliction. Suppose He did, and those who are His children were blessed above all others, while those indifferent to Him received nothing but punishment and loss. No one would dare disobey Him openly, and all would apparently pay heed to His commandments. But what kind of obedience would that be? What would it be worth? God wishes us to love Him and obey His commandments not out of abject fear or even for reward, but because He first loved us, and because His commandments are actually an expression of that love for us. Even His much-loved children must learn that the Lord “...disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” Only in eternity will these matters be given a full answer. And there God will wipe away every tear from our eyes; there will be no more death or sorrow or pain; all such things will have passed away. In our pilgrimage here on earth, we are never free from these things. But we are comforted to know that the crown of eternal life will surely follow. In every trouble here, we have an unfailing resource we can turn to…and that is prayer.

Paul sought out the right help in the right way: he took his afflictions to the Lord. And yet, there are many who despise prayer and avoid it. They endure their troubles with thick skins and hard hearts. Instead of prayer, some turn to the pleasures of the world, trying to drown their troubles in self-indulgence. And if that doesn’t work, they try to worry their troubles away without the help of God. But there is no help and no comfort in any of these.

God desires in us a prayerful heart. Through the Psalmist, He says: “Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you...” Our Savior says to us: “Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you.” And each prayer of the faithful is heard and answered—often not in the way we would desire, but in an even better way. We have no promise from God that He will give us always just what we ask. The truth is, sometimes we don’t realize the harm that would come to us if God were to answer in just the way we asked. But God always answers, not according to our poor understanding, but according to our need; not for our momentary good, but for our eternal welfare. Upon this we may rely with complete confidence. 

God answered Paul’s prayer, though His answer was not to remove the affliction. But He assured Paul of an even greater blessing than freedom from this particular trouble: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” This same comforting, strengthening promise of divine grace is yours, as well. He is equal, and more than equal, to all occasions and every trial that may press upon you. Turn to Him in prayer. He will comfort those who sorrow. He will be a faithful companion to all who are tempted. He will supply strength sufficient for every need. He has not changed. His is the same voice, the same gracious assurance. His grace and strength are the same today as always. To the tempted, to the sick at heart, to those who struggle with life, His invitation sounds today as it did then: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” 

Sometimes it seems that the Lord is not near. We call out to Him, and we don’t find an answer. The answer has been given, but we don’t yet comprehend it. We pray for a blessing, and then lament that it hasn’t been given. The blessing has been granted, but we have simply failed, as yet, to recognize it. We ask that the thorn be removed, yet it remains. But grace to bear the thorn is given, and that is the real blessing! Let this promise strengthen your faith. Let every time of trouble be a time of prayer. Let every affliction bring you closer to the Lord who has loved you with all that He is and all that He has. In the name and for the sake of Christ, seek the help of God humbly and with confidence. He will lift the burden from your shoulders, or He will give you strength to bear it to His glory. He promises: His grace will always be sufficient for you. In the name of the Father and of the Son (+) and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.   

The peace of God which passes all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus always.  Amen.