The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe
“Dying Grace, Living Grace”
You may have heard about the woman who approached her pastor after he preached a message on “dying grace.” He had assured the congregation of the Lord’s promise that He will be with us as we pass through the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23:4).
“Pastor, I loved your message,” said the woman. "But I must be honest with you. I don’t have the dying grace of which you spoke."
The pastor looked at the woman with a smile, paused for a moment, and responded, “Of course you don’t, my sister. You are not dying.”
Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ always possess God’ spromised grace of provision and guidance supplied through our Lord’s presence in our hearts and lives. “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (II Peter 1:3; emphasis added). Specific applications and appropriations, however, await the needs of the moment before their manifestation. God determines the timing of His revealed provision, sometimes challenging our perceptions, but always acting in perfect accordance with the glory of the Lord Jesus and our best interests. As a friend long ago said, “If I am trusting God and don’t seem to have what I need right now, I must not actually need it.”
This speaks to the truth that our Heavenly Father defines our needs. Certainly, we possess some understanding of the requirements of life that make possible our proper function and enjoyment. Scripture clearly reveals, however, that we know relatively little of that which we actually need. We use our understanding to perceive our requirements and respond accordingly. As Solomon declared, however, we do not “lean” on our understanding it as if we possess enough facts to even begin to completely interpret our truest needs (Proverbs 3:5-6). We rather want to be as the wise one of the Song of Solomon: “Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?” (Song of Solomon 8:5).
Be it the dying grace of departure, or the living grace of each day, God administers His provision in the moment His perfect wisdom determines and supplies. He absolutely and positively knows best. We absolutely and positively do not. Indeed, the provision of some moments is the remembrance of this truth, which enables our waiting on the Lord, something we desperately need in a lifetime lived by faith (Psalm 27:14). Let us plant the promise deeply within our hearts, namely, the assurance of God’s timely supply whereby…
“My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:19)
“My times are in Thy hands.”
(Psalm 31:15)
Weekly Memory Verse
My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction. For whom the Lord loveth He correcteth; even as a father the son in whom He delighteth.
(Proverbs 3:11-12).
“
7835
No comments:
Post a Comment