The words of God to Paul are the same to all His children, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." (II Cor. 12:9) Many are the afflictions of the righteous. Trials, persecutions, bodily afflictions and tribulations beset God's redeemed people on every hand. Our consolation is in the knowledge that they are all sent by the gracious providence and wisdom of our loving heavenly Father. They will all "work together for good to them that love God and are the called according to His purpose." They will all redound to His glory. He has promised sufficient grace! But this sufficiency of grace is not simply so that we can endure these things. God gives grace to His beloved that in the midst of them, through them, they might continue to glorify His gracious Name on the earth among men. The God of all grace gives this sufficient grace so as to enable them to continue to worship Him, praise Him, trust Him and thank Him through all things. Whatever befalls them in circumstance, opposition and trial, He gives more grace. He has not given us saving grace, even the precious life and blood of His beloved Son, only to withhold from us the grace necessary to overcome in these things. God's grace is mighty grace and it will strengthen and encourage His beloved people so that they are found triumphant and overcoming all these things. If the pressures of this world, of friend or family, work or affliction, can keep us from a continued worshipping, praising, thanking and serving God in this world, do we know anything of the true grace of God? God says, "my grace is sufficient for thee." As in Paul's case, these things may not be removed but remain that we might prove whether we have grace or not. Believing God's promise of grace Paul declares, "Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." Oh God of grace, give us more grace! May the grace that is greater than all our sins be the grace that is greater than all our difficulties! Save us from speaking of grace in salvation and denying it daily by our lives in the trials and afflictions of this life. Give us grace to be found among those saved by grace, worshipping and praising You in all things and for all things as the world looks on.