“But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness…I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people” (2Cor 12:9 AMP; LB)

Apostle Paul is one of the greatest men who ever lived on this planet. He received extraordinary revelations from The Lord Jesus Christ. He was even caught up to heaven and heard inexpressible things. But with all these spiritual treasures and uncountable blessings he had to endure ‘a thorn in his flesh, an agent of satan’. This was given to him by God so that he will not become proud and forsake the very grace that he coveted so much. This thorn was probably a chronic sickness that made him weak physically. A ‘chronic disease’ is an infirmity that is there for a very long time; it troubles and weakens the body constantly and there is no cure for it. Three times he asked God to remove this infirmity. For a man of God, a missionary who travels a lot, a pastor, this sickness was a pain and a shame. Each time he prayed God answers with the same words: “My grace is sufficient for you…”

He wanted healing but he was given grace.

He wanted physical strength but he was given grace.

He wanted a miracle but he was given grace.

Why grace? What is this grace?

The word ‘grace’ in Greek is ‘charis’. Grace is defined as an unmerited favor from God. It is a gift of God. It cannot be bought with money and it is not available on earth. It means God’s influence upon the heart, changing it into a holy vessel fit for the King. It is a generous joyful blessing from heaven. It is the seal of God’s approval and pleasure on His child. Grace changes a man from a sinner to a saint. Nothing else can perform this mysterious change.

Jesus Christ came to earth full of grace and truth. He is the eternal fountain of grace as it is described in the Bible. By His initial deposit of grace, God has to humble His child to receive more grace. The proud take for granted or forsake the grace that could have been theirs.

“And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (Jn 1:16, 17)

Once God choses a man to pour His grace on him, that man is unbeatable. Even the devil cannot destroy such a man. He becomes a leader and an inspiration to many. The grace of God is greater and stronger than any sin or any weakness. It changes a lamb into a lion. This powerful testimony of a changed character and fulfilled destiny brings complete satisfaction to a child of God. In fact, it is the only thing on earth that truly satisfies. Health, wealth, social status, family and friends, nothing else compares with the satisfaction the grace of God brings in the heart of man. By refusing to answer the prayer of healing and choosing to give more grace instead, God overrules Paul and gives him the best. Removing the thorn meant healing. But that was an ‘ordinary’ healing. But the grace of God gives Paul another type of healing. The grace makes him whole. God reveals to Paul that the weakness in his body is not just an inconvenience. It has a purpose greater than removal. Its purpose is to become God’s ‘container’ to host the supernatural miraculous exquisite perfected strength of the Holy Spirit, which is called ‘anointing’. Grace then manifests as unexplainable strength to live a successful life as a child of God. Grace is more than healing. It is power to mature spiritually in all situations. Grace manifests as increase and fruitfulness in ministry.

Since I’ve seen what God did with Paul, I too pray the same prayer each time I am sick. Here malaria is a common affliction. Its main symptom is weakness of the body. Each time I have malaria, I pray not just that my weakness should go away and leave me ‘malaria-less’ but that the anointing of the Holy Spirit should so rest on me. I pray that my ability to minister the Word increases visibly. Yes, this is my testimony: God’s grace in me has become power. It is more than pleasant. Yes, I dare to pray for things unknown, for mystery revealed, for adventure in the heavenly realms. Yes, I have a passion for the Lord and His Word. I love my Lord who overruled my prayer for comfort and planted this mysterious thorn of grace in me. Yes, malaria or not, I am blessed indeed.

O, amazing grace…

In Christ I declare:

God’s grace is strength and healing to me!

God’s grace is what I need!

God’s grace is what I desire!

God’s grace is sufficient for me!

In Jesus name

Amen!