Five Invitations - Day 9

Day 9 - God is Enough
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 

God speaks, and Jeremiah answers, “God, I’m not enough for this! I’m too young, I don’t have the right words to say!” I suspect we throw similar excuses at God for all kinds of things. “I’m not enough for my friends. I’m not enough for this job. I’m not enough for my kids. I’m not enough for my spouse. I’m not enough for God. Who am I to try and follow Jesus? Who am I to go to church? Who am I to read the Bible? Who am I to tell someone else about Jesus? Who am I to pray? Who am I to accept an invitation from God?”

Maybe you lean on the same excuses to avoid growing in prayer. “I can’t give God the time he deserves. I don’t know the right words. I feel like a phony.” “I’m not enough” cripples spiritual growth.

How does God answer us?

When Jeremiah listed all his disqualifications, God said, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, 'I have put my words in your mouth'" (1:7-9, NIV).

God confronts Jeremiah’s inadequacies, just like God confronts our inadequacies, both real and imagined. Who am I to accept God’s invitation? Who am I to pray? The answer again leads us back to God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. You’re enough because you are loved. You’re enough because you’re made in God’s image. You’re enough because Jesus died for you. You’re enough because the Holy Spirit fills you with God’s love. You’re enough because God gives you what you need.

You are enough because God is enough.

Three times the apostle Paul complained to God about a mystery weakness. Three times the Lord answered, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9, NLT).

God gives us the grace we need to follow Jesus. God gives us the grace to pray.

REFLECT:
How confident do you feel about your prayers? How does God’s interaction with Jeremiah or Paul affect your confidence?

PRAY:
Lord, I am enough. Not because I’m perfect but because you, Lord, are enough. Your grace is all I need. Give me confidence to pray every day. Amen.