The word "grace" is one of those special words that belong to the child of God. One of my favorite "grace" scriptures is wrapped in a promise.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
Some friendships blossom and then die. Health is unsure. Riches and wealth often remain out of reach. Those we love will pass, leaving a void in our hearts. But the "grace" of God will never fail, run out or run dry. It will never be insufficient.
The road may be long and dreary. The days may be filled with difficulties and struggles. But rest assured that there will be "grace" sufficient for every need and every trial.
This is the promise of God and that is the hope of the saints.
Just as weary sheep are refreshed by feasting in green pastures and drinking from still waters and lying in places of safety and peace, so are the saints of God refreshed by their Divine Shepherd.
Remember when The Lord saved you from your sinful condition? Were there times when you neglected God's house, His Word and His fellowship? Times when coldness wrapped around your soul?
Then, in your backslidden condition the Divine Shepherd forgave your trespasses, lifting you out of apathy and complacency and restoring spiritual victory.
This is always accomplished through confession and repentance.
Our Divine Shepherd does this for his sheep. He melts the coldness of their hearts with the warmness of His embrace.
John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
The will of God ought to be a source of strength and satisfaction to the child of God, just as if he sat down at a sumptuous feast.
If what we are doing tears us down instead of builds us up, then we may well question whether it is the will of God for us.
Our Lord didn't look on the Father's will as a heavy burden or a distasteful task. He viewed His work as a nourishment of His soul. Doing the Father's will fed Him and satisfied Him inwardly.
Psalm 40: I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Worry blinds us to the way God cares for His creation.
He makes the flowers beautiful. He feeds the unclean ravens who have no ability to sow or reap, but He cares much more for us (Luke 12:22-33).
Luke 12:27, 28b Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass . . . how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
If God feeds the birds, He will surely feed His children. If He beautifies the plants that grow up one day and are cut down the next, surely He will clothe His own.
God knows our needs. We are children in His family, sheep in His flock, and servants in His kingdom.
Psalm 106.1 Praise ye The Lord. O give thanks unto The Lord: for he is good; for his mercy endureth forever
The goodness of God transcends time place, people, and events.
He is good on the mountain and in the valley, in the day of blessing and in the day of pain.
He is good in peace and in turmoil, in life and in death.
He is good in rejoicing and in weeping, in shouting and in sorrow, in plenty and in poverty.
God is good in health and in sickness. He is good when I see Him and when I don't.
Those who are His know they have eternal reasons for praising His name. He chose us, converted us, keeps us, and provides for us. He is coming for us and is taking us to Heaven to be with Him.
He will never leave us or forsake us. His mercy endures forever.
When I thank Him for what He has done, I will look back to the crucified Son.