Thursday, 26^th October 2023

Andrews Ampomah 

TOPIC: GOD WILL AID YOU THROUGH

THEME SCRIPTURE: “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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

 

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. Is there something you have been saddled with in life?

There is a common misconception among a majority of Christians that once they come to faith in Christ Jesus, life becomes a bed of roses.

They reject any theology that seems to suggest that a Christian can be depressed, can have a debilitating illness, can be poor, and can experience life-long unpleasant things. This misconception has led many to brand fellow Christians who go through one challenge or the other as having sinned, having little faith, and or not praying enough. They reject every form of weakness no matter how pronounced these are in their lives to their own hurt. Reflecting on Psalm 42:5-6, the esteemed Charles Spurgeon astutely observes, “We know not what we are born to in our second birth; for, as a man is born to trouble by his first birth when he is born a second time, he is born to a double share of trouble. Then, he was born to physical and mental trouble; but now that he is born again, he is born to spiritual trouble; and as he shall have new joys, so shall he also have a long list of new sorrows.” 

In the background of our focus text, Paul sets out from 2 Corinthians 10 and 11 to defend his ministry and call to Apostleship against false prophets and people who accused him wrongly.

In the opening verses of chapter 12, he shares about the visions he was privileged to witness, but then shifts the focus to his weaknesses and discomforts, emphasizing how he prefers discussing his weaknesses over the visions. He opens up on a persistent affliction, a 'thorn in his flesh,' for which he prayed to God numerous times for relief. After persistent requests, he learned that the purpose of why God would not grant his request was to prevent him from becoming arrogant. Instead of granting Paul's desire, God responded with the reassurance, “…my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... – 2 Corinthians 12:9.” The mention of grace here means ‘aid” which generally meant that God will help or support the Apostle through this pain rather than take it away. Undeniably, this meant that the Apostle lived with this pain or thorn for the rest of his life, with God providing great support for him to bear it through.

Dearly beloved in Christ Jesus, amidst life’s heavy blows, you may be enduring a family loss, a bitter divorce, or a painful marriage.

You may have lost your job and relied on the kindness of people who may be ridiculing you. You may have cancer or any other terrible illness. You may have been married for years without a child. The catalogue of Christian sorrows is vast. Whatever it is, know for a certainty that it is not strange when after several times of prayer God’s intervention may not have yielded the results you expected. God has not abandoned you and you are not going through these because you have sinned. Rest assured, what God doesn't remove, He empowers or aids you to go through for His glory. “O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be thou our guide while life shall last, And our eternal home.” Amen.

 

FURTHER READING – Psalm 42

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:

1. Reflect on this “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”

 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are sovereign and rule in the affairs of men. I ask for Your enable grace to go through the joys as well as the sorrows of life giving praise to You for all things in my life in Christ Jesus, Amen.

 

1-Year Bible Reading Plan

2 Chronicles 23; Daniel 4; Acts 2