Palpable Grace and Mercy

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

I know what you’re thinking. Grace again? I thought he covered that last week!

However, a passage such as 2 Corinthians 12:9 leads me to one of my most important lessons to learn and now share: Refuse to face grief and loss in your own power. I know, it’s obvious. But not to everyone. Jesus says his grace is sufficient. I have always believed it, but never have I had to experience it in the way I’ve had to in my grief. His grace shows up. It’s clear and unmistakable. It’s profound.

It’s palpable.

“When we wait in faith and trust, we are met with grace and peace.” Katherine and Jay Wolf, Suffer Strong

His grace is sufficient as he said. Moment by moment, as it’s needed. It’s there in real, substantial ways. The weaker you are, the more his grace and power show up. I find it interesting that God refers to his available grace as simply sufficient. I’m beginning to resonate with the writer of “Grace Greater Than Our Sin” when she penned these words: “Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe…”

Sufficient doesn’t quite sound profound enough.

Unless you’re God.

“…my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply…” John F. Wade, “How Firm a Foundation”

Sufficient, I’m learning, is in comparison to God’s supply. He’s just skimming some grace off the top for me. There’s so much more. Never-ending. Always available.

Palpable.

Similarly, I have praised God for his mercy. If his sufficient grace was needed moment-by-moment, his mercy was needed every morning. And mercy is, indeed, available every morning according to Lamentations 3:22-23:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

His mercies never come to an end. They are new and replenished every morning. His steadfast love never ceases. This provision is rich. Every single pain-filled day, I awake, and I need mercy. I go to a quiet place. I drink coffee, cry, pray, read, cry, and process my loss. His mercy makes it possible to face the loss and process it all. His steadfast love undergirds me. But, I have to press into his gift.

“But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope…” Lamentations 3:21

Mercy is available. But we have to call it to mind intentionally. We need to stand in his steadfast love. We need to welcome his mercies. He gives mercy. We embrace hope.

The hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” reminds us that we have “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…” Strength—his mercy, grace, and hope—are indeed available for today. And again on every subsequent morning. Sufficient grace. New mercies. Hope.

However, while I am undergirded by his grace and mercy, I need to acknowledge that bright hope for tomorrow could be revealed tomorrow or maybe only in eternity. But it’s still bright hope. Because, today, his grace and mercy are palpable.

“…so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7