Thursday, June 14, 2018

"Living Grace"


"Living Grace"


   A woman approached her pastor after hearing him preach a sermon on "dying grace."  

   "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4).

    "Pastor," said the woman, "I loved your message, and I'm sure it's true for many people.  But I must admit to you that I don't have dying grace."  The preacher looked at the woman, smiled, and responded without hesitation.  "Of course you don't, my dear.  You're not dying!"  Indeed, born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ possess God's grace for every contingency of life.  "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (II Peter 1:3).  However, our realized experience of such provision often blesses our conscious awareness only when we actually face the challenges that make us keenly aware of our need.  In the case of the woman mentioned, her pastor's response called her to the expectation of faith that the Lord will faithfully fulfill His promise of provision in the present, and in all things to come.

      "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isaiah 43:2).

   We can all imagine scenarios wherein it may seem that we wouldn't have the grace to cope.  The truth of the matter is that we already possess such provision in Christ for "all things."  Moreover, when the need arises for awareness of our Lord's promised supply, He will more than grace our hearts and minds with assurance.  Thus, our present calling involves expectation.  Will the Lord be with me whenever, wherever, and in whatever?  Will He be who He declares Himself to be, and will He do what does, namely, lead and enable His trusting children to "always cause us to triumph in Christ?" (II Corinthians 2:14).  He will.  Because "dying grace" is actually the "living grace" whereby the involved presence of God empowers us to far more than merely cope with the challenges of life.


I wait for you, My child, wherever you may go.
I'll be there when you arrive, I'll be with you as you go.

For we live our life together, you venture not alone,
our hearts made one forever, united in My Son.

I wait for you, My child, I am with you as you go.


I made you for such grace, to be My Spirit's home.
Oh look into My face, and with assurance know

that we'll always be together, you'll never be alone.
We'll be as one forever, each other's love to know.

I wait for you, My child, I am with you as you go.


Forever beckons to us, as does this day, this hour.
My Spirit's peace imparts the presence and the power

for you to journey with Me, in darkness or in light.
I am in your heart forever, and in this day, this night.

I wait for you, My child, I am with you as you go…
I am with you as you go.

"My expectation is from Him."
(Psalm 62:5)

Weekly Memory Verse
    The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof we are glad.
(Psalm 126:3)
    

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