Grace Precepts

“He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater. He sendeth more strength as the labors increase. To added affliction He addeth His mercy. To multiplied trials He multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, when our strength has failed ere the day is half done. When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, our Father’s full giving is only begun. His love has no limit. His grace has no measure. His pow’r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.” (1) Annie Flint

It is through life’s ups and downs we discover the infinite richness of Christ’s sustaining grace. I experienced such grace when my strength was depleted from so many losses within seven years. During that time six close family members passed away, life was disrupted by divorce then followed an illness from a brain tumor. Surgery came next. It was a season of crisis after crisis. Towards the end of those years, I felt weary and hopelessly depressed about the future. I questioned if this kind of grief would continue.

Losses are a part of life. Today, in retrospect, I see how God used all my troubles to cause a deeper, more earnest hunger for Him. He captured my affections with His merciful love when I looked elsewhere and all else failed me. Over and over He poured out His love on me. God’s abundant love unveiled someone very genuine to me, a Master, and a Savior who steadied my volatile life. Someone real who is a stable rock! I found Jesus to be all I need. In time, God mended my wounds and made me whole again. God’s love is a healing love!

The depth of God’s love is reaching out to you at this moment. Come away with me and read what this unknown author wrote about God’s Word, the Bible where we see Jesus in His fullness. May you absorb God’s truth by allowing them to shape and mold your life.

“This Book contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s character. Here paradise is restored; heaven opened and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its grand object; our good is its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is given to you in life and will open in the judgment and will be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the greatest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” (2)

The Scriptures are practical principles which give insightful direction into life. The Bible is the most valuable possession, I own. The sweetest precepts that preserve life while keeping me on the right path. They lighten my path giving guidance when I don’t know which way to go, (3) the Scriptures provide assurance that I am protected by the Lord. (4) The Word acts like a pilot’s compass, showing direction, pointing to true north, upward to my heavenly home. (5) As part of the armor of God, the Word is my sword both which is an offensive and defensive weapon in spiritual warfare. (6)

God’s Word not only provided all these means of security but also it tells about grace…wonderful, beautiful grace. The sweetest gift ever to receive is a grace that gives and gives and gives in the most unlimited manner. Abounding! Amazing! Free! This is a grace not earned or deserved, but given at liberty. O such boundless grace poured on weak saints. May our hearts swell with gratitude for God’s gracious gift of grace!

“Without the way there is no going; without the truth there is no knowing; without the life there is no living.” (7)

Jesus is the way, truth and life. The Word reaffirms Who Jesus is, Eternal God. He is Author and Finisher of our faith. If you love the Lord, your God, you are bound to Him forever. The same God, who bound Himself to you, loves you too much to leave you as you are. He is unconditionally committed to your well-being. In this timeless moment God is calling you to find freedom. The liberty perhaps you’ve been waiting for…for a long, long time. Find Him and discover a free love like no other…faithful, true, and a long-lasting. Jesus, who loves you, desires you have the best in life, Himself!

Heavenly Father, freely You’ve given Your Word and grace that sustains me in my trials. Thank You for these gifts. Amen.

Footnotes:

1. http://pastorshawn.com/a-great-hymn-about-grace-its-story
2. Grace Bible Church, Moorpark, Ca.
3. Psm. 32:8 (nas)
4. Psm. 91: 9-13 (nkj)
5. Psm. 119: 108 (hcsb)
6. Psm 23 (nas)
7.Thomas A Kempis,http:///www.searchquotes.com
BibleGateway.com