Your Daily Devotional for September 18, 2006

 

September 18, 2006

 

God’s Great Grace

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.”

 

 

2 Corinthians 4:13-15

 

 

Have you ever wondered how some people can be so happy during trials in their lives? How is it that some people just seem to always have joy no matter the circumstances? People who remain joyful in the midst of tough circumstances are people who have experienced the grace of God.  God’s grace can help and encourage any Christian when they rely on the Lord. God’s grace is available for all who would seek Him and ask Him for it.

 

One way to have God’s grace is through a heart of peace. Ruling peace is produced in our hearts by first having the security of salvation and secondly, by being in the perfect will of God. The word ruling is defined as “an umpire; determine, or control.” Peace should be the umpire of our heart. We shouldn’t live with fear or confusion but with peace that only God can provide. Spurgeon once said, “Settle the center and the circumference is secure.”

 

We need to have peace in our hearts but we must beware of false peace. Jonah was running from God and yet he could sleep in the bottom of the boat. He had a false sense of peace in his heart. Many times we can fool ourselves into believing that we have peace with God when we are really running from Him. Are you really right with God? Do you enjoy meeting Him personally or do you play the part of a Christian on the outside? Make sure that you have peace with Him. When we have peace in our hearts, God’s grace will be evident in our lives.

 

There is a story told of a man who sought the perfect picture of peace. Not finding one that satisfied, he announced a contest to produce this masterpiece. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. The judges uncovered one peaceful scene after another, while the viewers clapped and cheered.

As a judge pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Surely this was the winner. The man with the vision uncovered the second painting himself, and the crowd gasped in surprise. Could this be peace?

A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its cold, penetrating spray. Stormy, gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, a spindly tree clung to the rocks at the edge of the falls. One of its branches reached out in front of the torrential waters as if foolishly seeking to experience its full power.

A little bird had built a nest in the elbow of that branch. Content and undisturbed in her stormy surroundings, she rested on her eggs. With her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. 

Does your life seem to be one trial after another? Do you find yourself looking for God’s great grace and His peace but without success? Peace is not provided in the absence of trials, but in the knowledge that God is there with you through it all. Only He can give you the grace and peace you need to get through your day. Look to Him to help you today.

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