Living by God's Sufficiency and Promises
Adapted and inspired by Day by Day by Grace, this series reflects on God's boundless grace and His work in our lives, guiding us to live in humble dependence on Him.
Have you ever had one of those days where every task feels insurmountable? I’ve had plenty of those moments where I was painfully reminded of my own limitations. Whether it’s trying to handle a challenging situation at work, guide someone spiritually, or even just keep my thoughts aligned with God’s truth, it doesn’t take much to realize how inadequate I am on my own. But here’s the amazing part: those very moments of inadequacy are an invitation to live by God’s sufficiency and promises.
God's Sufficiency: Humility That Leads to Dependence
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 3:5 resonate deeply: "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God."
This verse hits at the core of our human tendency to rely on our own strength. I’ll admit, I used to operate under the belief that I could muster enough effort to live the Christian life. But time and time again, I found myself exhausted and frustrated. It wasn’t until I embraced the humbling truth that I can do nothing apart from Christ (John 15:5) that I began to experience the freedom of relying on His sufficiency.
Let me paint a picture: imagine trying to climb a mountain with an empty backpack. You dig through it, hoping to find the tools to get to the summit, but there’s nothing there. Now picture someone handing you a fully equipped pack—everything you need to succeed is provided. That’s what God’s sufficiency is like. When we admit our emptiness, He fills us with everything we need to face life’s challenges.
Living by God's Promises: Trusting His Faithfulness
Another way we experience grace is through living by the promises of God: "He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises" (Hebrews 8:6).
I used to think that God’s promises depended on my ability to keep up my end of the bargain, much like the old covenant’s call to obey perfectly to receive blessing. But the new covenant of grace is radically different. It’s based on God’s ability and faithfulness, not ours.
Consider Abraham and Sarah. Despite their circumstances, they believed that God would fulfill His promises. Abraham was “fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:21). Sarah “judged Him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11). Their trust in God wasn’t rooted in what they could see but in who God is—a faithful, unchanging Father.
Personal Reflection: From Striving to Resting
For years, I felt like I was running on a spiritual treadmill—moving constantly but going nowhere. Then, God began teaching me what it means to live by His sufficiency and promises. It’s not about striving harder; it’s about surrendering more. It’s about trusting that He will supply what I lack and fulfill every promise He’s made. This shift from self-reliance to God-reliance has brought peace and joy I never thought possible.
Reflective Takeaways
Embrace Your Inadequacy: Instead of seeing your limitations as failures, view them as opportunities to depend on God.
Trust His Faithfulness: Spend time meditating on His promises in Scripture. Let them remind you that His ability, not yours, is the key to living a victorious life.
Walk in Humble Dependence: Start each day by acknowledging your need for God and trust Him to guide you through His Spirit.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You that I don’t have to depend on my own strength or abilities to live this life You’ve called me to. You are my sufficiency, my strength, and my faithful promise-keeper. My heart’s true desire is to walk in humble dependence on You, trusting that You are enough for every moment and every challenge. I rest in the truth that Your grace is sufficient and Your promises never fail. Amen.
What about you? How have you experienced God’s sufficiency in your life? What promises of His have carried you through difficult seasons? Share your reflections—I’d love to hear them.