Grace is one of those words we hear often in the Christian faith. It means undeserved favor, mercy or kindness towards another, and we think of this when we think of God. We are saved by His grace...not because we deserved God’s love and forgiveness but because He chose us before the foundation of the world to be His own through Christ our Lord (Ephesians 1:4). This is a type of love that the world cannot comprehend.
Beyond saving us, God provides grace for us to face each day through its hardships as well as the good times. However, there are times when we wish we had a little more information about the future or what tomorrow might bring our way. This can lead us to worry or anxiety. Even the Apostle Paul was acquainted with this concern when he dealt with his thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 tells us: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Oh that we could say this when we fall into trials! So what is Paul’s secret? He trusted God.
Building trust in God comes from knowing Him intimately and believing that He is good. Prayer is one key to developing that relationship. Obviously, Paul did a lot of praying and crying out to God over his affliction. The result came when the Lord answered him. His illness would not go away, but he found reassurance in the fact that God’s power would be made perfect in his weakness. Paul could go on knowing that the grace of God would be sufficient for him.
In addition to prayer, we can drive out our doubts and worries by knowing the Word of God. Do we read it every day? We should because it reveals to us God’s character and all that we need to know to lead a godly life. Jesus said in John 15:15: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Jesus knew the Father’s innermost thoughts. Through the pages of the Bible we are given the revelation of God. It gives us our bearings and the Spirit gives us the power to obey. This is how we develop the trust that drives fear away.
God’s grace is not just for today but for the future just like His provision of manna in the wilderness which He provided for the Children of Israel. They never went hungry because the Lord provided their food daily. Their clothes never wore out during the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. In the same manner, God’s grace is sufficient for whatever we are called to face, and we know there are hard times as well as times of rejoicing. God will give us the grace just when we need it and not before. Therefore, we need not worry or fret. Instead start each day with a prayer: “Lord, help me and give me your grace today.” Then, say thank you and rest in Him! He won’t disappoint! Selah!
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