"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT FINDING THE SUFFICIENCY AND STRENGTH YOU NEED"
2nd Cor 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God,
Some explanatory thoughts, application and a prayer:
1. First of all, Paul tells us where our sufficiency is not found. It's not found from within, or from ourselves. The word "sufficient"
means many, enough, sufficient in ability. So, Paul was saying, that he did find the ability he needed from himself. Nor do we.
2. Paul goes even further to say, "to think of anything as being from ourselves" In other words, Paul did not look to himself for anything that he needed. He did not live his life trusting in himself. He was not leaning to his own understanding. He was not depending on himself to do what God had for him to do. You don't have to either.
3. Paul then tells us where our sufficiency does come from. It's from God. "but our sufficiency is from God," How wonderful to know that God has what we need, and He is very willing to give it to us. He just wants us to not trust in ourselves, but rather to trust in Him. He has the ability we need. What a comfort to know this is true.
4. This truth that God is our helper, our strength, our ability giver is all through the Bible of course. Here are some verses that show this to us.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2Sa 22:33 God is my strength and power, And He makes my way perfect.
Hab 3:19* The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills. To the Chief Musician. With my stringed instruments.
Ps 35:2* Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help.
Ps 40:17 But I am poor and needy; Yet the LORD thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.
Ps 63:7 Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
Ps 70:5* But I am poor and needy; Make haste to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.
Ps 94:17* Unless the LORD had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.
Ps 119:173 Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.
Ps 121:1 <<A Song of Ascents.>> I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help?
Ps 121:2* My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
A prayer:
Father, we would like to thank You. Please help us to take You at Your Word. You are the strength we need. You do not ask us to look to ourselves to be strong, but to find our strength and help in You. You delight in helping us. You even called the Holy Spirit, "the Helper" Lord, when You allow trials to come, they really help us to see our own weakness, and then we are inclined to turn to You and there You are, ready to help us. Thank You Father. We love You. In Jesus name.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
