| You see, from Heaven's perspective, grace is enough  
Sufficient Grace
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, My power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV
Here is the scene: You and I and a half-dozen other folks are flying across the country in a chartered plane. All of a sudden the engine bursts into flames, and the pilot rushes out of the cockpit.
"We're going to crash!" he yells. "We've got to bail out!" Good thing he knows where the parachutes are because we don't. He passes them out, gives us a few pointers, and we stand in line as he throws open the door.
The first passenger steps up to the door and shouts over the wind, "Could I make a request?"
"Sure, what is it?" "Any way I could get a pink parachute?"
The pilot shakes his head in disbelief. "Isn't it enough that I gave you a parachute at all?" And so the first passenger jumps.
The second steps to the door. "I'm wondering if there is any way you could ensure that I won't get nauseated during the fall?"
"No, but I can ensure that you will have a parachute for the fall."
Each of us comes with a request and receives a parachute. "Please, Captain," says one, "I am afraid of heights. Would you remove my fear?" "No," he replies, "but I'll give you a parachute."
Another pleads for a different strategy, "Couldn't you change the plans? Let's crash with the plane. We might survive."
The pilot smiles and says, "You don't know what you are asking," and gently shoves the fellow out the door. One passenger wants some goggles, another wants boots, another wants to wait until the plane is closer to the ground.
"You people don't understand," the pilot shouts as he "helps" us, one by one. "I've given you a parachute; that is enough."
Only one item is necessary for the jump, and he provides it. He places the strategic tool in our hands. The gift is adequate. But are we content? No. We are restless, anxious, even demanding.
Too crazy to be possible? Maybe in a plane with pilots and parachutes, but on earth with people and grace? God hears thousands of appeals per second. Some are legitimate. We, too, ask God to remove the fear or change the plans. He usually answers with a gentle shove that leaves us airborne and suspended by His grace.
The Problem: When God Says No
There are times when the one thing you want is the one thing you never get. You're not being picky or demanding; you're only obeying His command to
ask God for everything you need. — Philippians 4:6
All you want is an open door or an extra day or an answered prayer, for which you will be thankful.
And so you pray and wait. No answer. You pray and wait. No answer. You pray and wait.
May I ask a very important question? What if God says no? What if the request is delayed or even denied? When God says no to you, how will you respond? If God says, "I've given you My grace, and that is enough," will you be content?
Content. That's the word. A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than He already has. Test yourself with this question:
What if God's only gift to you were His grace to save you. Would you be content?
You beg Him to save the life of your child. You plead with Him to keep your business afloat. You implore Him to remove the cancer from your body. What if His answer is, "My grace is enough." Would you be content?
You see, from Heaven's perspective, grace is enough. If God did nothing more than save us from hell, could anyone complain? If God saved our souls and then left us to spend our lives leprosy-struck on a deserted island, would He be unjust? Having been given eternal life, dare we grumble at an aching body? Having been given Heavenly riches, dare we bemoan earthly poverty?
Let me be quick to add, God has not left you with "just salvation." If you have eyes to read these words, hands to hold this book, the means to own this volume, He has already given you grace upon grace. The vast majority of us have been saved and then blessed even more!
But there are those times when God, having given us His grace, hears our appeals and says, "My grace is sufficient for you." Is He being unfair? In God Came Near I've told how our oldest daughter fell into a swimming pool when she was two years old. A friend saw her and pulled her to safety.
What I didn't tell was what happened the next morning in my prayer time. I made a special effort to record my gratitude in my journal. I told God how wonderful He was for saving her. As clearly as if God himself were speaking, this question came to mind:
Would I be less wonderful had I let her drown? Would I be any less a good God for calling her home? Would I still be receiving your praise this morning had I not saved her?
Is God still a good God when He says no? Excerpted with permission from In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado, copyright Max Lucado.
Your Turn
That's quite a question, isn't it? It's a lot to chew on today. Is God still a good God when He says no? How has that question played out in your own life? How have you answered it? Come share with us on our blog. We want to hear from you! Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. YOU'RE INVITED
Join the SUMMER ONLINE BIBLE STUDY for Romans: In the Grip of Grace with Max Lucado starting June 21 A note from Max:
Friends, I want you to experience the thrill and reward of studying the book of Romans. It's one of the richest theological works ever penned, yet it is also deeply personal…. If a believer wants to dig into the central teaching of the Bible, almost all of the core doctrines can be found in the book of Romans. Paul's words to the Romans contained the power to save souls, shape minds, and transform lives for the glory of Jesus. The exciting thing is that reading this book of the Bible can still do all of these things today. So brace yourself… and let's come together for this summer study. – Max  Get free access to all six teaching videos in the brand-new study through Romans based on Max's bestselling book, In the Grip of Grace.
Find peace and rest in God's unbending and unending gift of grace.
Have you ever felt that you did something that could not be forgiven--that God's grace could not extend to your situation? It's easy to beat yourself up. But as the apostle Paul reveals in his letter to the Romans, God never does. His grace is always sufficient to meet your needs and cover your mistakes, missteps, and misdeeds.
Or, maybe you're stuck trying to earn God's grace...? When the world demands: achieve, succeed, earn, God says: learn on me, trust me, believe me. You don't have to accomplish or prove anything; God offers unconditional acceptance to a believing heart.
In this 40-Day study based on his bestselling book, In the Grip of Grace, Max Lucado illuminates one of the richest theological works ever penned, the book of Romans. The core idea of Romans is that we are saved by grace, through faith.
Max will guide you through this letter from Paul to the Romans, revealing what the apostle's words meant to his original readers and how they apply to you today. You will be encouraged as you listen to Max's teachings and challenged to study the book of Romans like never before!
Learn more about the study and join us in community starting June 21st!
SAVE ON STUDY RESOURCES Save up to 40% off each study resource when you purchase from FaithGateway Store and get FREE U.S. shipping on all orders over $30.00 now through June 30, 2021.
The Romans: In the Grip of Grace Study Guide is your recommended resource to go along with the FREE study videos. It's set up workbook-style with charts, individual reflection space, and areas to map out Scripture.  STUDY GUIDE + BOOK
Max Lucado ushers us into this study of one of the richest theological works ever penned, the book of Romans in this new Bible study based on his bestselling book, In the Grip of Grace. If you haven't read the book before, we highly recommend it too! The two really go together for the most fulfulling Bible study experience! Study guide, regular: $13.99 Sale: $9.00
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