Author: astherainandsnow

“When the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,  they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said, ‘We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.’

“The Israelites said, ‘But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?’

“’We are your servants,’ they said.

“But Joshua asked, ‘Who are you and where do you come from?’

“They answered: ‘Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan… And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, “Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say, ‘We are your servants; make a treaty with us.’” This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.’

“The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.  Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

“Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them.” Joshua 9:3-16

Suspicions aroused and allayed, serious-minded Joshua concluded the Gibeonites’ story made all the sense in the world. Indeed his God was famous and wrought fear in the people of the land. Why would these wanderers not rather serve God’s people than be destroyed? But instinct stemming from reason, inspection, and explanation failed him, and the results were lasting.

Relying on what we want to be true is a dangerous persuasion. Good instincts are a gift from God, but they must be founded on and filtered through the truth of His word and affirmed in prayer. Too easily, they can be pulled astray by emotion or false promise of success. If we would be wise, it is crucial to train our discernment and seek the mind of Christ at every turn. We must study His word to understand how He deals with and works among men, and pray to know and heed His warnings.

How steeped am I in the ways of God? How readily can I apply lessons taught from His word or personal experience? Am I impatient, quick in pride to rely on my own understanding, and slow to humble myself to ask God’s direction? How will I be sure to hear His voice and make decisions according to His will? (Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 32:8; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 1:9-10; Colossians 1:9-10)

Father, give me an instinct for holiness, and train my discernment through Your perfect word, ways, and prayer, that I glorify You in its exercise.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.”

“My son, keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Bind them always on your heart;
    fasten them around your neck.
When you walk, they will guide you;
    when you sleep, they will watch over you;
    when you awake, they will speak to you.
For this command is a lamp,..
and correction and instruction
    are the way to life,
keeping you… from the smooth talk of a wayward woman.”

“My son, keep my words
    and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
    guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’
    and to insight, ‘You are my relative.’
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
    from the wayward woman with her seductive words.” Proverbs 3:3-4; 6:20-24; 7:1-5

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength. These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 6:5-8

The figurative language in Scripture does much for emphasis and understanding. Binding love and faithfulness and the truth of God’s word around the neck secures it close to head and heart. Tying commands to fingers stays steady the hands and directs them in work, creativity, and affection. The teachings of Scripture, made alive by the Spirit and illustration, become a beacon of identity when worn and borne as a seal.

Blessedness is promised, but will is required. The let and put and fasten of binding and tying do not just happen. They are deliberate responses to the Word read, tasted, and believed to be good. When we cooperate in obedience to God’s commands, He does His part to guard, guide, fortify against temptation and folly. The power and righteous perfection of the Word convict, correct, instruct, and stand fixed as filter and fortress. (Psalm 19:7-11; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Do we desire favor, protection, and illumination? Do we study and thoughtfully apply God’s Word to know it well? How bound are we to its tenets? What can we practically change or implement to tie ourselves to it in devotion and dependence, to bind it to facets of everyday life? How does biblical truth affect strategic thinking and decisions? Availing ourselves of strong teaching at church and otherwise, and fellowship that reinforces truth and refines speech, habits, and behavior are crucial to living bound to Christ.

“O to grace how great a debtor
daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter,
bind my wandering heart to thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
prone to leave the God I love;
here’s my heart; O take and seal it;
seal it for thy courts above.” ~Robert Robinson (1758)

Lord, keep me bound forever to Your blessed word, for Your name’s sake.

“One day, as Jesus was teaching in the temple.., the chief priests and scribes with the elders said, ‘Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.’ He answered,.. ‘was the baptism of John from heaven or from man?’ They discussed it, saying, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will say, “Why did you not believe him?” But if we say, “From man,” the people will stone us to death, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.’ So they answered that they did not know…  Jesus said to them, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.’

“He [told] the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. He sent another servant. But they also beat him… He sent yet a third… Then the owner of the vineyard said, “I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ But when the tenants saw him,.. they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others.’.. 

“The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.” Luke 20:1-16,19

The religious leaders knew too much not to be accountable, but relished skirting vital issues to retain control of their lives and authority. Hearing and discussing about Jesus was palatable, but surrendering was another matter. Conviction was an ugly word to be rejected by those who believed they were always right. As misplaced fears of God and man tangled, they chose an odd non-committal neutrality that held them in constant angst.

Fear is a strange and powerful deterrent to deciding for truth. It both compels and repels, depending on whether it’s directed toward the Holy One or haughty ones. It manipulates emotion and detracts from reason, a crafty tool of excuse-making and compromise in the devil’s arsenal. It is most success at spiritual disruption when we value the reaction of men over God. (Matthew 6:24; John 12:42-43)

How much and far does fear play into daily decisions? When we know what is right, where do we let fear distract and dictate? Taking fear’s wily hand and cavorting in what-ifs and I can’ts will only confuse, and keep us in the slough of non-commitment. Twirling long in this draining dance inhibits vitality, faith, and true spiritual growth. When will we shake off fears and take God’s sure grip?

What specific fears hold me back from proper action? Is it of reprisal? The Lord is on my side and defends my cause. Rejection, failure, loneliness? He’ll never leave or forsake me. Financial or reputational loss? He’s my great reward and eternal treasure. Naming them, then matching each fear to God’s greater sufficiency, will set us clean, straight, and bold. (Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 31:6; Psalm 69:9; Romans 8:31-34; Ephesians 1:3; 3:21; Philippians 4:13,19)

Lord, teach me to walk daily by faith and always do the right thing, fearing and exalting You alone.

“One day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they set out,  and as they sailed he fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water and were in danger. And they went and woke him, saying, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging waves, and they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ And they were afraid, and they marveled, saying to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even winds and water, and they obey him?'” Luke 8:22-25

They’d witnessed His compassion, patient conversations, miraculous healing, and authoritative teaching. They knew Him to be focused, unflappable, measured, and loving. So of course Jesus’s disciples trusted His instruction to cross the lake. They chose, both practically and figuratively, to get in the boat with Him.

But Jesus went to sleep. A windstorm whipped up trouble. Waves raged and gulped at their vessel, and their confidence. Their easy cooperation turned to fear for their lives. The storm exposed their human frailties and the limits of their faith, while also revealing the magnificent who of Jesus. Calm and unfazed, invisibly in control, He shone as their object of marvel.

Who then is this? Jesus knows the storms that will rise, and leads us intentionally into their swirl. He strategically tests our faith to teach us to wonder at His peace in their disruption, and power over their threat. And He is present in every struggle, giving calm, and a way out of temptation to despair or lose hope. Indeed, the Teacher wastes no opportunity to stretch and sanctify His own. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Who then is this? Are we willing to let this Jesus lead? Are we tempted to question His motives when we confront difficulties, or His might to help? In what hard circumstances does it seem He is asleep and indifferent to our suffering? What can we learn of His strong serenity and steady compassion in our angst?

Who then is this? Considering recent turbulence at home or work, in soul or circumstance, what are we learning of our Lord? How is He teaching gratitude, compassion, or trust? What inner storm of anger or discontent, resentment or restlessness, will we ask Jesus to rebuke, and then deliberately rest in His peace?

“Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, please master my thinking, temper, and reactions to storms so I know You better, for Your redemptive purposes and glory.

“Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
    and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
    do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,..
he taught me and said,
‘Let your heart hold fast my words;
    keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
    do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
    love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
    and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
    she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.’

Hear, my son, and accept my words…
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
    I have led you in the paths of uprightness…
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
    guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
    and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
    turn away from it and pass on…
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know over what they stumble.

My son, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
Let them not escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to all their flesh.
Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life…
Let your eyes look directly forward,
    and your gaze be straight before you.
Ponder the path of your feet;
    then all your ways will be sure.
Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
    turn your foot away from evil.” Proverbs 4:1-11,13-15,18-23,25-27

David had certainly made many a glaring mistake, but his steadfast love for the Lord and willingness to repent identified him as a man after God’s heart. One evidence of that is the care with which, in the press of responsibilities and complicated relationships and wars, he diligently taught Solomon the crucial practice of holding fast to God’s word. His priorities, though not always kept, were right, and indelibly marked his remarkable successor. Holding fast had guarded his years and exploits, and directed his son toward wisdom. (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22)

Among all the habits man deems important to establish and keep, holding fast to the Lord is vital for a fruitful life. It assures light and life of spirit, clarifies way and direction. Guarding His word guards us, giving insight by which we are honored and protected, strength to resist evil and avoid wicked paths. It sets sights and desires aright and fortifies resolve to remain true.

How can we hold fast? How attentively do we listen to and heed instruction? Is there any habit or passion so entrenched in our hearts or fists that leaves no room to seize God’s uprightness? What new attention or obedience or stewardship for those who listen to and watch us will we commit to today? (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:5-9)

Lord, help me prize You above all else and hold fast Your wisdom, to Your renown and glory.

“When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them,.. and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same.’ You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods.

“Everything that I command you, you shall be careful to do. You shall not add to it or take from it.

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and… he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen… For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. That prophet… has taught rebellion against the Lord your God, who… redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the Lord commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

“If your brother,.. or your son or daughter or wife or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, some of the gods of the peoples around you,.. you shall not yield to him or listen to him.” Deuteronomy 12:29-13:7

“I will ponder the way that is blameless…
I will walk with integrity of heart..;
I will not set before my eyes
    anything that is worthless.
I hate the work of those who fall away;
    it shall not cling to me.
A perverse heart shall be far from me;
    I will know nothing of evil.” Psalm 101:2a,3-4

God’s warnings against idolatry were many and stern. His instructions are practical and invite commitment. He requires His people to be serious about both sin and strict adherence to His ways, for their good.

When God regenerates our minds to grasp the gospel and hearts with holy affection, we enter a relationship with Him by faith that is inextricable. But our enemy sullen lurks! He will do everything he can to unsettle our settledness, to sprinkle doubt into our certainty, to disrupt peace and shake loose our trust in the Savior. That’s why God warns again and again against idolatry. That’s why He states first things first: “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:2-3)

But over and over we do! We sing the Lord first in our hearts, yet allow swinging passions to woo us away from His supremacy. The tantalizing sparkle and feel-good comforts of lesser gods catch us in their trap of immediate pleasure and temporal emotional satisfaction. How aware are we of the little gods that beckon?

What places, what people, what pleasures lure us from the true God who alone satisfies the soul? How committed are we to spiritual integrity? The Lord honors holy desire.

Father, give me discernment and determination to follow You alone, to Your esteem and praise.

“On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt,.. they came into the wilderness of Sinai…  There Israel encamped before the mountain, while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, ‘Thus you shall… tell the people of Israel: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples..; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation…”‘

“On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire.., and the whole mountain trembled greatly… Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain… and called Moses.., and Moses went up.” Exodus 19:1-6,16-20

Through Moses His servant the Lord had worked mighty deeds and had them recorded in order to make Himself known. They spoke often of what He had done and would do. If Israel’s faith, obedience, and identity as His people were to grow, they must remember what they had seen and carry the wonder forward. (Exodus 14:19-31; 16:12; 20:20-24)

Considering these holy interactions, are we alert to God’s deeds? The flurry of urgent demands and temporal choices is a constant tease to our senses. Eyes dart and distract from gazing at the wonders God displays. Our busyness can trick us into thinking we are the ones achieving when it is the Almighty who gives talent, opportunity, and supply. He is constantly doing marvelous things! (Psalm 98:1-2)

Do we ask for spiritual sight to recognize His hand? Are we delighting in His faithfulness in the turning days, His light in the rising sun, His power to uphold the stars? Do we look for His creativity in diverse people, His pattern of patience in a budding bloom, His sense of delight at the color and shapes of flora and fauna?

How has He worked deliverance, comfort, enlightenment in our day to day, or over years? Where has He met us in prayer with encouragement to persevere, then answered in a way that brought us to our knees in wonder and praise? What new insight, confidence, or hope has He given for a task or responsibility? How has He enriched our lives by family members, pastors, professors, friends? What has He accomplished in and through us in our assigned work?

As we note these answers, we should be thanking Him, praising Him, finding in Him strength to obey and endure. What we have seen carries us into the unseen with hope and expectation that He constantly works on our behalf according to His will. He does not change like shifting shadows. He is the same yesterday today and forever. He finishes what He’s begun. (Isaiah 14:24; Romans 8:28-31; Philippians 1:6)

Lord, sharpen my spiritual sight to see You in all things, then to praise, trust, and obey.

“O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up;
    you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down
    and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O Lord, you know it altogether.

“Even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.

In your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:1-4,12,16

“Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;  and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” Ephesians 6:13-18

The examples in Scripture of God’s people secure in Him and His unchanging, benevolent character is a boon to the struggling soul. Our confidence for the future can be fixed in Him, not certainty about what will take place but in the Who designing it according to His good will. It’s a stabilizing truth that we are known, our days are numbered and held by the Almighty, and His Spirit abides. Nothing surprises Him. He constantly works for our good and sanctification. (Romans 8:28-31)

In the face of a sudden shock, unimaginable loss, excruciating temptation, or indescribable sorrow, emotions are taxed by the strain of inability to have prepared. Questions of if only punctuate saturated sensations, and unchecked, can swamp us in despair. Even if there’s been a niggling suspicion or long decline, the stark reality of a startling occurrence or pressure or end still stops us in our tracks. The choking surprise renders us helpless to grasp this is really happening, and imagine life going forward so drastically changed. Where is our help? What is our foundation or plumb line? How can we actually be ready for what we cannot know and feel incapable to plan?

Do we know His word well enough to be grounded, completely sure of the Lord? What promises can we take as guarantees today? With what truth and faith will we prepare for what only God knows? (Deuteronomy 31:6; John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 10:13)

 “Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.

“The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~George Keith (1787)

Lord, keep my soul fixed in the solace of Your perfect ways, plans, and glory.

“Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. She came to Jerusalem… [and] told him all that was on her mind. And Solomon answered all her questions; there was nothing hidden from the king that he could not explain to her. And when the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, their clothing, his cupbearers, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the Lord, there was no more breath in her.” 1 Kings 10:1-5

The queen in all her pomp and royal authority could not out-splendor nor out-wise God’s king. Having heard about his vast wealth and wisdom, she came to see Solomon for herself, and realized immediately there was no equal between regals. All she wondered, he surpassed. All she asked, he gave more. Her inquiries and gifts were infinitesimal compared to his vast wisdom and resources. And so are we when coming to our King, measureless in compassion and love, infinite in resources. (1 Kings 10:13; Psalm 103:5-13; Ephesians 3:20)

Consider a few of the many small prayers in Scripture:

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!” Psalm 19:14; 139:23-24

“O Lord,.. give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” “Hear, O our God, for we are despised. Turn back their taunt on their own heads… Do not cover their guilt, and let not their sin be blotted out from your sight.” “Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.” “Remember me, O my God, for good.” Nehemiah 1:11; 4:4-5; 5:19; 13:31

People of God who know Him through saving grace and ongoing communion converse with Him about everything. We know how to voice immediate needs, and the longings of the soul. We cry for wisdom, favor, self-control. Praying words convey both confidence and dependence. Do these describe us?

The key to big asking is marveling at the capacity and largesse of the Grantor. It is acknowledging our smallness before His greatness, our insufficiency before His vast resources, our need before His delight to answer. He’s concerned with all that concerns us. (Psalm 138:8; Matthew 7:7-8; 1 Peter 5:7)

We focus on the small things of life because they require immediate attention. When we take time to bring these cares before the Lord and pray over specific detail, God answers within His wider purposes. His providence encompasses both small and great.

What requests do I have of God today? What needs for perspective and tangible help? If my words and meditations need tethering to the Rock, my actions need skill or success, my heart needs correction or cleansing, ask largely!

I am coming to a King, I can ask Him anything!

Lord, keep me diligent in small specific prayer, trusting the greatness of Your plans, power, and glory. (Job 42:2)

“We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

“I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:1-9

Paul was a passionate, pulsating example of one sold out to Christ. The Lord’s grace broke into and upturned the former rebel’s life and set it on a gospel trajectory. Paul was intent on spending every ounce of grace received to make the good news known so others could also be transformed for eternity.

The most crucial understanding of grace comes from Jesus, who freely gave Himself for our everlasting benefit. We receive heavenly riches at His expense for no merit of our own. When was the last time we thanked Him for His exquisite, undeserved, lavish expression of love? 

Comprehending the vastness of God’s grace to us in Christ sharpens our perception to recognize daily graces. His gifts are wide and many, seen by eyes that have beheld Him and savored by hearts touched by His mercy. How intent are we to behold and praise His grace? Whom are we telling about their beauties and transforming power? With whom can we share the effect Christ’s grace has on stubbornness, despair, broken relationships?

What generosity from the Lord through others have we recently observed? Are we aware of our pastors’ investment of time and prayer? Do we recognize and acknowledge the contributions of others to our practical livelihood and spiritual wellbeing? How and how often do we express gratitude to them, and the Sovereign Source from whom all blessings flow? How have we been inspired to extend grace forward?

If we struggle to want to be gracious, due to personal selfishness or another’s wanton lack of desert, would we admit that and ask God for the desire? Where has the Lord prompted us to extend a grace, by word, service, forgiveness, donation? What impulse to do or give has not been completed? Why not? When will we follow through? (2 Corinthians 8:10-12,16)

How will we endeavor to know grace better? How might our expression of generous grace awaken faith and delight in others to give? How might it multiply praise to God as He delights in His people? (2 Corinthians 9;6-12)

Lord God, may I sow Your love and grace generously, to the reaping of Your glory and praise.