Sufficient Strength

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 KJV 1900

7 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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.

Sufficient Strength

1. Success

Successes are just as detrimental as failures -

Proverbs 6:16–19 KJV 1900

16 These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Prov16.

Hate / vs abomination -

PROUD LOOK

lying tongue

hands that shed innocent blood

Heart that devises wicked imaginations

Feet swift in running to mischief

False witness that speaketh lies

HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD AMONG THE BRETHREN

BOOK ENDS -

* PROUD LOOK

HE THAT SOWETH DISCORD - abomination....(is it all seven or just #7 in the list - but regardless - these are all detestable in the sight of the Almighty)

If we are not careful - the devil will use success - blessings - opportunities

2. Suffering

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 KJV 1900

7 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. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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 KJV 1900

7 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.

So in these verses - we can see two messages with very different messages...

Messenger of Satan:

Message of God

Message of Satan -

hurt

harm

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

1 pet

the serpent

the scull

the sleek serpent is out to destroy your life!

He is a roaring lion -

causing fear

insecurity

disorientation

Message of God

Help -

Heal -

Our God is a God of Love, Compassion, Care...

Our God is a God of Life -

This message of Satan was a message of:

destruction

damage

devastation

3. Sufficiency

1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV 1900

9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

1 Corinthians 12:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

2 Corinthians 12:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 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.

We of course do not want the message of suffering or the messenger - Satan

We seek the Lord to take the trial away - and God seeks to take us through the trial

Romans 8:28 KJV 1900

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Message of Grace -

God’s

Riches

At

Christs’

Expense

Grace Grace

God’s Grace

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within

Grace grace

God’s grace

God’s sufficiency makes us strong

“Strength that know itself to be strength is actually weakness, but weakness that knows itself to be weakness is actually strong”

O what a Savior that we serve!!!

He gives Sufficient strength

He is - Sufficiently Strong