Grace

                                                          Isaiah 61:10
                                          I will greatly rejoice in the LORD,
                                          My soul shall be joyful in my God;
                            For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation
                               He has covered me with the robe of righteousness

Driving to work on a cold winters morning, my girlfriend couldn't help but notice the freshly fallen snow glistening like diamonds. As she thanked the Lord for such a breathtaking view, she thought how not only was it breathtaking, but it had cost her nothing. God had simply covered the ground with what looked like diamonds while she slept, that she might be blessed in the morning.

I have friends that go to the park every night to watch the sunset. There is nothing more beautiful than a sunset of pink and blue hues, as it slowly, but with perfect mastery, lowers itself behind a puff of soft white clouds. What a brilliant way to end the day. This, too, costs us nothing.

If we rise early, we are blessed with a delightful sunrise each and every morning. As the sun comes up, once again the God of the universe paints a magnificent hue of colors that rise from behind the clouds to display what will give us light for the day and warmth to enjoy. Neither does this cost us anything.

God's grace is a gift more wonderful than we can fathom. Because of His grace we have been given unmerited favor. The Spirit of God has been poured upon us. God's grace has taken away the guilt of sin that so easily entangles us, and in it's place given us a future with Him for eternity. In Christ we are made right.This is a gift given to us freely of God.  

                          For by grace you have been saved through faith,
                          and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,
                          not of works, lest anyone should boast.                     _Ephesians 2:8-9

I will forever bow my head in thankfulness and gratitude. What has cost me nothing, cost God everything.

                          For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son
                          That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish
                          but have everlasting life.                                            _John 3:16
                       


 

"Am I Enough?"

                                                              Habakkuk 3:17-18
                                              Though the fig tree may not blossom,
                                                         Nor fruit be on the vines;
                                              Though the labor of the olive may fail,
                                                       And the fields yield no food;
                                         Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
                                               And there be no herd in the stalls ---
                                                  Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
                                              I will joy in the God of my salvation.

Sitting on my basement floor painting a rocking chair for my grandson, tears ran down my face that would not stop. "Why Lord? I don't understand. Why don't you do something about this heartache that never seems to go away?" Battling feelings of betrayal and confusion, nothing seemed to make sense. Didn't we do all we could to prevent this heartache? Was there no reward for walking close to the Lord, leaning on Him for every decision? "God, where are you? Do You care that I am hurting?"

It wasn't spoken words I heard, ones that others would hear had they been in the room. It was more like an inner voice, deep in my soul; "Cyndy, am I enough for you? If all else falls away and you are left with only Me, am I enough?"
               
How I wanted to shout , "Yes Lord! You know You are!" But, before I could speak I knew I couldn't say yes. And at that moment I knew this wasn't about the heartache we were facing, although it was very real. It wasn't about unanswered prayers. This wasn't even about Satan having havoc with my life. It was all about my coming face to face with the truth that I expected the Lord to hear my prayers and come to my rescue, taking away the heartache. It was about my realizing that I found joy in my salvation, and peace that passes all understanding, only when all was well in my life.

This is not what Jesus wants for His children. He wants us to know He is enough even when life is not peaceful and all is well. He wants us to want Him and Him alone. From the words of John Piper, "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."

Am I satisfied in Him? Is He enough? Oh, Lord, may I shout "Yes!" and know that it is true!

                                                Though the fig tree may not blossom,
                                                        Nor fruit be on the vines,
                                                   Yet I will rejoice in the LORD
                                               I will joy in the God of my salvation.