Grace Gratefulness - The One Year Sweet and Simple Moments with God Devotional

Grace Gratefulness

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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV

Whenever I read the Bible and feel God shed His bright light on a dingy area in my life, my “grace gratefulness” to Him increases. I realize I fall short of His perfect standard, but I am encouraged that I have company. The Bible is full of stories about God extending His grace to people who did or said the wrong things.

I’m especially guilty when it comes to saying what’s on my mind, often without thinking. James, the half brother of Jesus, has a lot to say about the tongue in his writings. He compares our tongues to tiny sparks that can set great forests on fire (James 3:5). If you have been to places that have been ravaged by fire or seen news reports about them, it’s heartbreaking. Our unfiltered words can sear a person’s heart in the same way. My tendency at times is a quick response, and this is why I identify with the apostle Peter’s impulsiveness. I am glad God knows us so well and uses the approach of grace to change our weaknesses into strengths, just as He did with Peter.

Peter spoke and acted impulsively, but Jesus still loved him. Peter did not stop to think before he denied Jesus three times in a row. Yet Jesus forgave Peter. As Peter grew in spiritual maturity, I’m guessing he also felt a lot of grace gratefulness.

God Almighty’s way of personally relating with His followers who keep blowing it increases my grace gratefulness. God is always showing us mercy as He changes us to better reflect His good character. I’ve come to understand how much I need His grace, which He lavishes on His own. The more I love Him, the more I want to please Him and the more my grace gratefulness grows.

There is no way to ever be snatched from God’s hand. His grace grips us in every area of our life, including our tongues. God’s grace frees us from being paralyzed by guilt when we sin. Let’s not waste a minute wallowing in guilt. Jesus told us if we confess our sin, He “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9).

What sweet encouragement to all of us. Read Jeremiah 15:16.

From the Book: