God Is AbleSample

God Is Able to Sustain through Trials

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7–9)

Though we are not told specifically what Paul’s thorn in the flesh was, it was serious enough for him to urgently and repeatedly ask God for relief. The word translated buffet is the same word used to describe the physical beating Jesus endured before the crucifixion. Whatever this thorn was, it caused Paul real, ongoing suffering.

Yet God said “no” to Paul’s earnest prayers for the removal of this thorn—not because Paul lacked faith or deserved less grace, but because God had a greater purpose. And God did not simply leave him to endure it alone. Instead, He gave Paul a promise through which untold numbers of Christians have benefited: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Here we see not only God’s wisdom, but His power to sustain. God did not take the burden away, but He lifted Paul through it. He did not remove the trial, but He supplied the strength. God is able to uphold His people when the load is heavy and the road is long.

There are times when God answers our prayers by removing our troubles. But there are other times when He answers by giving us the grace to endure them. In those moments, we should not think He has abandoned us. He never has and never will forsake His children. Instead, He sustains us in our weakness with His strength.

Today’s Takeaway: God is able to sustain us through every trial by His sufficient grace.