By Grace Alone

It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect.

(Psalm 30:32, NKJV)

There have been times I have promised to do something with full commitment that I will deliver but failed.  The failure is not out of not trying but circumstances work out in a way that what I had hoped to do fails to materialize.  The value that I have attributed to the action or outcome expected, determines the level of disappointment that I feel for the perceived failure.  If this has been promised to someone else, the disappointment could be shared or a blame-game could ensue.  It is my hope that you can identify with this, having failed to deliver on a promise or having someone else fail you when you had set your hope on the promise made.  Either way, the disappointment is experienced and questions are often asked as to what could have been done to avoid the failure.   As we look at the consequences of the ‘failure’ we are quick to blame ourselves forgetting that it is not always in our ability to do what we had desired to do.  Beloved the bible has a verse that reminds us that we ought to say, “if the Lord wills we shall do this or that” (James 4:15).  It is not always in us or for us to do what we desire, there is God’s hand involved and that makes all the difference.    When we appreciate this fact, we can be more gentle with ourselves when we fail, acknowledging that our best is not always the determinant of the outcome.  It is the power of God that enables us to succeed – the grace of God.

Our reference verse calls our attention to the fact that it is God who makes our way perfect.  He gives us the strength to do what we need to do and He perfects it for us.  That is not to say we do not do what we need to do, but that we seek and acknowledge His part in what we do, and the perfect or successful outcome of it.  This is both humbling and empowering.  We are humbled enough to accept He is greater and able to do what He sets to do, yet empowered enough in the assurance that His way and plans for us are perfect (Psalm 18:30).  Brethren, this sounds like a place of REST, we take a position of rest in the assurance of His guiding our steps and giving us good returns.  In all that we do or seek to understand, His grace which is at work in our lives is enough to get it done (Philippians 4:13).

This week marks 3 years since this blog started and by the mercies of God, we have had a message out every Monday morning.  To the glory of God we acknowledge that the consistency in the journey has been by God’s hand of power of blessing – it is grace which has kept us faithful this far.  It is not by effort or commitment but the mercies of God.  The words of the song: “By Grace Alone” written by Jeff Nelson and Scott Wesley Brown in 2010, come to mind.  That every promise we can make, every difference that we can make, is only by His grace.  Trusting in the leading of His hand, we stand on Christ our corner stone going forth in Him alone.   Beloved, it is not about us but about Him and His grace upon our lives.  We know what to do, commit our ways to Him and He makes them all perfect (Psalm 37:5).  May we learn to let go of what is not in our ability and responsibility to perfect, may we learn to rest in the strength that He provides, then step forward in the grace that He alone supplies.

Thoughts:

What is your reflection of this message?

Where have you burdened yourself more than you can carry?

How have you found REST in His grace?