A Song of Grace, part 1

            Nights are long when struggles weigh heavy. Most of those nights draw me into prayer since sleep just laughs at my attempts to find it. One night several years ago should have been more fitful than it was. A child of mine had been struggling to find peace. In her hopelessness, she chose rebellion and hate. We had to make a drastic decision that day, and the future looked uncertain.  Every time I woke that night, the same sweet song would go through my mind, lulling me back into a restful sleep. What should have been a stress-filled, anxious night became a comforting memory of God’s song in the night, and the quiet comfort of His Presence.

Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;
he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy;
he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

            Not every fitful night has come with such a vivid memory of His presence, but He promises to be present with His children always. The song that comforted me that night came from David’s pen in Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Hebrews 13:5-6 is another promise from God’s Word that assures His children that He will never leave them. His presence with them can allow them rest.  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

            Who exactly deserves this kind of attention from the God of the Universe? In fact, that is the underlying question that fuels the doubt many believers experience at some time. Why should He care so much about me? Even the verse at the beginning of this post promises that God is a sun and shield to His people, that He gives grace and glory, that He withholds no good thing. And yet, when trying times come, the darkness ushers in the doubts that question all His promises.

            But for GRACE, all of humankind would be lost to the cares and suffering of this life.

Grace is God’s song by which every other song extends.

As John Newton’s song, “Amazing Grace,” so eloquently teaches, the believer’s life begins with grace, and grace extends through life to eternity. If you have not yet experienced the grace that saved “a wretch like me,” please message me below for more information.

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun.
–John Newton, 1725-1807

  Grace is a word that bounces around in “Christianize” often. It is a familiar word that we sing, we speak, we write flowery poetry about, and yet, it is so minimally understood. Grace is often defined as unmerited favor, which is a wonderful aspect, but not a full definition. I went to BibleHub.com to study this word “grace.” However, this word could be studied for a lifetime without delving any deeper than the tip of the iceberg.

            Grace is used thirty-seven times in the Old Testament, most often as a request for undeserved favor to someone in authority or of God Himself. The first time it is used is in Genesis 6:8, when only one man in the entire world found favor with God. Noah was the lone man willing to hear and obey the voice of God amid men who only thought evil continually (Genesis 6:5). The ark Noah would build represented the redemption God still offers through Jesus many thousands of years later. Grace is certainly undeserved favor extended to man.

            In the New Testament, however, grace’s definition expands beyond undeserved favor to God’s presence with His people, His help and strength, His teaching that sanctifies, His giftings, His working through them to extend His favor to others, and so much more. We’ll spend the next few posts exploring a few of the many ways God extends grace to His children.

For today, spend a little time meditating on how God’s grace has led you through thus far. What amazing things has He done to bring you to where you are? I would love to hear your story! Blessings to you, my friends!