The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"Yet Again"
"God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved), and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-7).
Frances and I were the subjects of a very generous gesture last night by a close and beloved family member. The details of the blessing and the identity of the benefactor do not need to be told, but suffice it to say that one who has often displayed much grace did it yet again in a way most special.
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10).
The word "manifold" is fascinating in regard to its display of God's grace. In the original Greek of the New Testament, manifold means "of varied colors." This beautifully depicts the grace of our Heavenly Father's freely given favor in the the Lord Jesus Christ, which comes to us - and will forever come to us - in countless ways undeserved and unexpected. The blessing of last night I mention found us without our even knowing it until after it has splashed the beauty of its hue upon us. Frances and I gratefully marveled, and obviously, I continue to marvel as this day begins. Such is the spectrum of God's grace, whether revealed directly by His heart and hand, or indirectly through another. Our Father will forever display the beauty of the Lord Jesus in our lives, and we will forever bow in wonder as we realize that yet again God has graced us with His manifold goodness.
"Who art thou, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it" (Zechariah 4:7).
Scripture teaches that "God loveth a cheerful giver" (II Corinthians 9:7). Such delight in our Lord proceeds from the truth that He is Himself the most cheerful of all givers. Moreover, He finds ways to bless us we could never imagine - "exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Our Lord possesses a palette of manifold grace that even eternity will never fully exhaust in its display of beauty and glory. As Zerubbabel etched upon the headstone of the mountain made a plain, grace and then more grace ever awaits us in Christ. "Yet again" we will declare as God displays His heart of lovingkindness over and over and over. Frances and I witnessed such goodness last night in one who surprised us, but then again, who acted as we have seen so many times. I might add, just like the Christ who inspires and empowers such innumerable and manifold measures of the grace He purchased for us on the cross of Calvary. Moses realized this wonder of grace received preparing us for grace to be received yet again. We close with his affirmation…
"If I have found grace in Thy sight, show me now Thy way, that I may know Thee, that I may find grace in Thy sight."
(Exodus 33:13)
Weekly Memory Verse
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.
(II Corinthians 9:8)
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