March 12
Verse of the Day for March 12
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 12:9 KJV
The Key of Stillness · Day 12 of 31
Reflection · 4 min read
My Grace Is Sufficient
Paul has something he calls a thorn in the flesh and he never tells us what it is, which has frustrated readers for two thousand years and is probably deliberate.
He asked three times for it to be taken away. Three is the number you use when you have stopped hoping and started negotiating.
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.
The answer is no. It is a kind no, with a reason attached, but the thorn stays and Paul writes this letter with it still in place.
Sufficient is not a generous word. It means enough, exactly enough, and nothing spare. He is being told he will have what he needs to keep going and not a measure more.
And then the reason: strength made perfect in weakness. Not despite the weakness — through it, in the place where he is not able.
The thorn stayed.The grace was enough.
This is the passage people reach for when the answer has been no, and it earns that because Paul did not get what he asked for either.
Enough is not the same as easy. It is the promise that you will not run out.
Carry this today
What have you asked for three times?
Pray
Read 2 Corinthians 12:7–10
7And 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. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And 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. 10Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Keep praying
Reflection by Collins Asein, from the daily devotionals in the PrayerKey app. Bible text: King James Version.