The Perfect Match

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort…

“We were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.”

“So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-7,8b-10; 12:7-10

Jesus the God-man is the perfect match for those He created. Made for relationship with Him and to reflect His glorious image, man finds completion and fulfillment of divine purpose in Him alone. Every lack He meets with sufficiency. In suffering, comfort; in want, supply; in weakness, strength; in sorrow, balm; in lack, wisdom; in division, reconciliation; in brokenness, healing; in despair, hope; in anxiety, peace; in uncertainty, guarantee; in loneliness, presence. The greatest match is Jesus’s life for my certain death, by ransom for impossible debt. (Isaiah 43:7; John 14:16-17; Philippians 4:6-7,19; James 1:5)

Often we go about life assuming self-sufficiency, realizing only when challenges loom that we are no match for them alone. Our God kindly arranges circumstances to drive us o His promises and open arms. He matches our every need with grace and abundance.

What areas of life are we withholding from the Lord? Do we depend on Him in certain places of need, but keep others to ourselves out of pride or shame? Do we merely talk about believing and trusting Him, yet doubt His supply? Do we close ourselves off to sanctification or change because we coddle sin, or prefer to nurse resentment and blame and remain as a martyr in a miserable status quo? He is ready to meet us!

Father, teach me to take Your yoke and live fully for Your notice and honor. (Matthew 11:28-30)