Grace Greater Than All Our Sin

A thought I often have when I look at photos I have taken of waterfalls, is the seemingly never ending flow of water. Yet at the same time, this flow does fluctuate, sometimes even drying up totally. Typically this time of year this particular river gets quite low. However due to recent rains it was roaring.

I know that I'm not alone in this, but recent situations both nationally and personally have begun to wear on me. At times things can seem unbearable even.
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Yet the last few days the text from 2 Corinthians 12:9 has been coming to mind, reminding me that the grace of God does not dry up.

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me."

In this verse we can learn quite a bit actually. We see God as the source of grace. This grace an outflow of His very nature (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 116:5), given freely as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9, James 4:6) shown in His sovereignty (Romans 11:5, Ephesians 1:4-6), and displayed in the person and work of Christ (John 1:17, Romans 3:24-25).

The word "is" in the phrase "My grace is sufficient" shows the availability of this grace. It doesn't say that it was, or will be, but it IS sufficient. His grace is constantly available, His saving grace to those that come in repentance and faith, and continuing grace for the life of the believer.

For me though, where I think I tend to struggle is with the next word... Sufficient.
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Sometimes, as in Paul's case and by extension us, we are to endure trials. And so sometimes the answer to our longing for an immediate escape is to simply and solely rely upon the grace of God, knowing and trusting that it really is sufficient. I don't know about you but sometimes (i.e. most of the time) I feel the need for 'more', forgetting that His grace really is enough.
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Yet there's also a purpose to it. In view of this verse we see that in the weakness of man, God is shown to be strong. God in His wisdom chose the lowly things of this world for His purposes (1 Corinthians 1:26-29). Paul also writes:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;" 2 Corinthians 4:7

In our weakness, God's power and grace are magnified.

This leads to a way in which we can say with Paul: "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13) , knowing that God gives grace upon grace (John 1:16).
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So, as the song beautifully puts it:

"Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that will pardon and cleanse within
Grace, grace, God's grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin"

"Grace Greater Than All Our Sin"
Words by Julia H. Johnston (1911). Music by Daniel B Towner (1910). Public Domain.
Sovereign Grace Music, a division of Sovereign Grace Churches. www.SovereignGraceMusic.org.
https://sovereigngracemusic.org/music/songs/grace-greater-than-all-our-sin/

"Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation."