Sufficient: What does it mean?

Well, writing this blog is proving to be interesting, and is definitely fulfilling the aim of making me look into things more thoroughly. It turns out the God is not actually described much in the Bible as being sufficient. The verse I previously quoted (2 Cor 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness) is the closest we get, and seems to be speaking of God's power and faithfulness to come through in glory through our weakness. Other mentions of''sufficient', 'enough' and so on seem mostly to be referring to humans' provisions and circumstances or the ending of a season (this is enough; time to move on). Unless of course I have missed an obvious search. Feel free to correct me if you are more theologically minded!

Our concept of God's sufficiency has clearly come from somewhere, though, and we see throughout the Bible how he has provided in every way for his people through history (more on this in the next post). Perhaps a more useful way to look at the meaning of 'sufficient' and 'enough' is to look at the dependence of people upon the all-sufficient source.

Here we have more luck! The Hebrew word שׁען is used 22 times through the Old Testament, nearly always describing a reliance on something (usually God) for indispensable support.

Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. 2 Chronicles 16:8

And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. 2 Chronicles 14:11

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. Isaiah 50:10

And it shall come to pass in that day, that the remnant of Israel, and such as are escaped of the house of Jacob, shall no more again stay upon him that smote them; but shall stay upon the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. Isaiah 10:20

So, the sufficient one who is always enough is he on whom we are to depend. He is the solid rock; our hope, our light in the darkness, and the grace to cover all our sins.

And it doesn't stop there. It's not like God is just enough for us to get by. No; he does it in abundance, with a flourish, for his glory because we are treasure to him. This is what I realised a couple of weeks ago when he once again prodded me to remember that he is sufficient. He knows my every need better than I do myself and meets it every time in ways I really could not imagine!