MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU
10th Jun 2020
Our granddaughter Alice was staying with us, and we decided to watch the film about Gladys Aylward, “The Inn of the Sixth Happiness.” someone of whom she had never even heard. A very old film but an amazing story. I then realised I had never read her biography, “The Small Woman”, and to my amazement found it buried away in the attic. We even had the privilege of having Gladys speak to our youth group in Cornwall, together with her adopted daughter Ninepence!
So I am now reading this book, and had never realised that Gladys, apart from rescuing orphan children, effectively preaching the gospel, and taking 100 children over a mountain, had been in the middle of warfare between the China and Japan! In one hair raising incident when it looks as if she is doomed, she very clearly hears a voice saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in your weakness.” God steps in and Gladys and those with her are rescued.
That very familiar verse was spoken to Paul when he was crying out to God to remove the ‘thorn in the flesh’. Some believe that Paul was struggling with sickness, I believe it was persecution; his life was under great pressure, he recalls many tough situations, including being shipwrecked on Malta. I am sure in all of these very demanding situations he repeatedly heard those words, which gave him peace and strength.
You may be feeling under pressure, with this lockdown there are many unresolved issues we are all facing. The writer to the Hebrews had this instruction, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
In my Bible reading this morning in Psalm 143:8 NLT, David is crying out to God, “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting in you.” A good prayer!
Remember His grace is sufficient for your specific need.
by Charles Sibthorpe
