Day 21
God is Sufficient
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.
2 Corinthians 3:5
The story was told of an old gentleman who scrimped and saved for years to be able to purchase a 5-day Caribbean cruise. Once he was aboard the ship and the cruise was well underway, he noticed the other passengers dining at huge buffet lines and still others enjoying elegant meals in the main dining room. Having used all he had saved to purchase his passage on the cruise, the old gentleman had brought peanut butter and crackers for his meals. After several days of eating this fare and observing others dining well, he approached one of the Porters and asked if there were any odd jobs he could do in exchange for some food. The Porter was puzzled by the request and asked the man if he did not realize his fare included all meals—buffet and fine dining--as much as he wanted. This reminds me of how, as believers, we sometimes try to get by on “peanut butter and crackers” instead of enjoying the “fine dining” of the sufficiency of God.
God the Father is totally self-sufficient. He is the Holy One who inhabits eternity. Nothing is necessary to God. He doesn’t require food, water, clothing, or shelter. He doesn’t need friends to encourage Him. “All things were made by Him; and without Him not anything was made that was made,” according to John 1:3.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Colossae: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17).
The unbeliever who curses God needs the breath in his lungs that God provides. The atheist who decries “there is no God” needs to be sustained by His power every day. As sons and daughters of the Most High God, we can only exclaim, “All things come from You and You alone, O God.”
Is it not mind-boggling to understand that God, in His abundant wisdom and grace, has chosen to work in and through those whom He has called unto Himself? He calls us to be obedient and faithful. We are ill-equipped to do either in our own strength. It is only through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that we have the sufficiency to be who he has called us to be: Ambassadors of Christ.
You may ask, “How is God sufficient in our lives?” Let me suggest 7 of the ways God demonstrates His sufficiency:
He Saves- Acts 4:12
He Perfects- Hebrews 10:14
He Equips – 2 Peter 1:3
He Blesses – Ephesians 1:3
He Completes - Philippians 1:6
He Provides - Philippians 4:19
He Strengthens – 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
FURTHER REFLECTION:
Can you list other ways God is sufficient? The list I gave is far from complete.
Looking back, can you remember a time when God showed himself sufficient in ways that you could not imagine?
PRAYER: Father, I thank You that You and You alone are sufficient to provide all my needs through Christ Jesus. Lord, we are so blessed that You showed us mercy by sending Your only Son to die on a cross for the sins of the world. May I never think slightly of what it truly cost Jesus to pay for all my sins. May I always live my life in such a way that others are drawn to You because Your love and kindness overflow from the grace You have shown to me. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
FOR FURTHER STUDY: Spend some time looking up and reading the scripture references to the 7 ways God is sufficient. Meditate on these great promises from God’s Holy Word.
by: Phillip Askey