Strength in the Grace of Christ

"Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1)

God calls us to a life that requires strength—yet not a strength of our own making. The grace of our Lord Jesus is the reservoir from which all true strength flows. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy is not to muster up his own resolve but to rest in the sufficiency of Christ’s grace for every demand.

The Christian life involves passing on the truth we have received. Teaching and discipling others in God’s Word can be both rewarding and wearisome. There are moments when discouragement sets in, when it seems that the truths we share fall on deaf ears or bear little visible fruit. Yet, we do not press on in our own ability. We draw from the wellspring of grace, knowing that it is God who works in us and through us.

We are also called to endure hardships as soldiers in Christ’s army. Though the victory has already been secured by our Lord, the enemy still resists, seeking to disrupt and discourage. Battles rage in our minds, our relationships, and even within the Church. Yet, our strength is not found in striving but in the settled reality that Christ Himself is our sufficiency.

Like athletes, we run with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on the prize, yet not in self-discipline alone but by the empowering presence of the Spirit within us. And as farmers, we sow, water, and wait with patience—knowing that the harvest belongs to the Lord.

Picture a mighty oak standing firm through every storm. The winds howl, the rain beats down, yet its roots hold fast, drawing sustenance from deep below the surface. It does not strain to remain standing; it simply abides where it is planted. So it is with us. Our strength is not in our striving but in our abiding. Christ Himself is our life, our source, our unshakable foundation.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for the all-sufficient grace found in Christ Jesus. You have given us all that is needed for every task, every battle, every race, and every field of labor. We rest in Your provision, knowing that as we abide in You, Your strength flows freely through us. Thank You for the victory that is already won and for the grace that carries us forward. In Christ, we stand firm, press on, and bear fruit for Your glory. Amen.

Final Thought:
Whatever the calling, whatever the challenge, our strength is not our own. It is found in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Rest in Him, and the work will be done in His power.

(Insights drawn from Day by Day by Grace by Bob Hoekstra.)