Over the last few years, I can't count the number of days I've thought, "I can't make it through another day." I can't depict how much pain, fatigue, depression, heartache, and struggles have defeated me. Yet amidst it, God's redemptive work has been evident. I've begun to more fully grasp the amazing reality of God's grace.
There's a simple, but powerful, sentence in James:
("He gives more grace" - James 4:6) |
This is the most hopeful news we can hear today.
Think about it...
Are you stuck in a sin pattern?
Lying on your bed in pain... again?
Facing considerable problems at your job?
Experiencing challenges with your children?
Fighting an uphill battle in ministry?
Walking through hurt or a broken relationship?
Wondering how to persevere through the mundane or hard?
In all of that, God offers grace. To you. Right now.
The grace we are offered is not grace to "get out" of the circumstance or pain, as we often desperately want. Rather, it's the grace to face whatever is before us.
More than that, it's grace that doesn't run out. Grace that isn't based on our performance. That is the beauty of God's grace. But we have to acknowledge our need for it (Ps. 86:6). We need to humble ourselves and run to the throne of grace.
And as we do that, we find hope and rest.
He Gives More Grace
So how does this concept of grace apply to me today?
Because of God's grace....
- I don't have to fall into self-pity or despair when I’m exhausted, weary, or struggling. Instead, I can look up to Christ. His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9).
He gives more grace.
- I can battle my sin. Yes, I have to work at it, but I can't do it on my own (1 Cor. 15:10).
He gives more grace.
- I can run to the throne and find receive mercy and forgiveness when I fail (Heb. 4:16).
He gives more grace.
- I can stop looking to myself, my performance, or my righteousness, and look to Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).
He gives more grace.
Let's not miss the grace that is offered to us today.
No comments:
Post a Comment