Have you seen those grace-filled fingerprints? Perhaps at home in the joy of good-natured laughter around the family table, or one child helping another with his homework—unprompted, or unified celebration of all—for the success of one.
Perhaps you’ve seen God’s fingerprints outdoors in a landscape of incredible beauty and grandeur, or an up-close encounter with one of God’s creatures, or the expanse of a sunrise, sunset, or brilliant rainbow.
And especially at church, we see God’s fingerprints when an impassioned congregation sings their praise to him, a saint of God offers a heart-touching prayer, someone shares a personal story of divine, miraculous provision, or a scripture-reading fits perfectly our current circumstances.
No doubt, God’s grace is on display everywhere and always. It never wanes; it’s new every morning. And, as illustrated above, when we intentionally look, we see his fingerprints in the GRACE of place.
But God’s grace is not only evident around us. God has provided a place of GRACE within us as well.
“This grace of God is a very great, strong, mighty, and active thing.
It does not lie asleep in the soul.
Grace hears, leads, drives, draws, changes, works all in man,
and lets itself be distinctly felt and experienced.
It is hidden, but its works are evident.
–Martin Luther
That middle line especially deserves deep and slow consideration. Luther would surely have us understand:
- Our God of grace hears—even before we speak (Isaiah 55:24).
- Our God of grace leads—along the best and straightest path to himself (Psalm 16:11a) [1].
- Our God of grace drives (propels)—gently but persistently—so we’re resilient, not fragile; strong, not weak; useful, not ineffectual (Ephesians 3:20).
- Our God of grace lovingly and relentlessly draws us unto himself (Jeremiah 31:3).
- Our God of grace changes us, progressively transforming us into his likeness with ever-increasing glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).
- Our God of grace works in us so he can work through us—all to his and our mutual delight (Philippians 2:13).
He is a passionately dedicated, perfectly-intentioned, and supremely benevolent Heavenly Father!
Yet there is more.
Our God enriches, enlightens, enables, and enraptures by:
- blessing us—not with everything that pleases us—but with everything good for us [2]
- bestowing the privilege of his presence—“so wonderful, quieting, soothing, calming, and warming” [3]
- guiding us with supernatural wisdom as we avail ourselves with childlike trust
- shaping our lives into what is useful and beautiful [4]
- providing a haven within of comfort (Psalm 34:18) and strength (Psalm 59:16), refreshment (Acts 3:19) and joy (Psalm 4:7)
All good things are a result of God’s grace (Psalm 84:11)—in the GRACE of place all around us and in the place of GRACE within.
Where are you seeing God’s grace-filled fingerprints this day? Tell us about it in the comment section below!
[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer
[2] King David mentions at least ten gifts in Psalm 103 alone.
[3] J. Danson Smith, quoted in Streams in the Desert, Jim Reimann, ed., 340.
[4] Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses, 79.
Art & photo credits: http://www.openclipart.org & canva.com; http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.canva.com (2); http://www.creazilla.com (painting by Pieter Claesz).
One of my all-time favorite praise songs is “Fingerprints of God” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Are you familiar with this one? I’m sure it’s on YouTube if you need to look it up and listen to this one!
God’s fingerprints are most definitely on us, in us, and revealed in all He has created. Let us rejoice in His presence always!
Thanks so much for all your prayers, Nancy, over these recent days. Danny is now home from successful surgery and sleeping as he didn’t rest well in the hospital last night. Your words and photos here so encouraged me. Blessings!
Praise God for the good news about Danny, and that you can see God’s fingerprints on you and in you during this challenging time. So glad this post brought you encouragement. I’m going to go listen to that Steven Curtis Chapman song now! 😁
Love the quote on grace by Martin Luther. It shows the tender heart behind the man, known more for spiritual battles than comforting messages. Another wonderful song is “He looked beyong My Faults and Saw My Need.” by Dottie Rambo. It starts with ” Amazing grace will always be my song of praise.”
That line from Dottie Rambo’s song sounds familiar. Pastor Pete–I’ll have to access it on YouTube. Thank you for suggesting it to us. Dottie is right: all of our stories begin with amazing grace, include example after example of God’s grace through our lives, and finish with amazing grace as we’re taken to heaven. We CAN sing a perpetual song of praise!
It was popularized by Andre Crouch, but written by Dottie. I liked them both, but was surprised to learn this a couple of years ago.
Thank you for the clarification, Pastor Pete!
Nancy,
Still being here in this time in this place. Grace is not earned at all.
Thank you, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Praise God his grace–his love, mercy, kindness and more– is NOT earned (Ephesians 2:8-9). Who could do enough or be enough before a perfect, all-powerful God?! But by his grace, expressed through his Son Jesus Christ, he took the punishment we deserved. Hallelujah!
“ Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin.” How much I am reminded of God’s amazing grace because of this post. Thank you 🙏🏽
SO many wonderful hymns and songs about God’s grace. Do you know “Wonderful Grace of Jesus,” Brenda? It was my dad’s favorite, and I find it coming to mind now and then. Also full of uplifting truths about our gracious Savior, Jesus Christ. (An energizing tune as well!)
I do know that song and I love it. 🥰
Your post just brought to mind afresh of the wonderful grace of God that he bestows on us. I am humbled and grateful 🙏🏽
Amen, Manu. The attitudes of humility and gratitude help us appreciate God’s grace all the more!
The hymn “Amazing Grace” superbly describes grace-it’s utterly “amazing!”
Indeed, Nancy! There’s a reason that hymn remains popular generation after generation!
Thank you, Nancy. I needed this today. ♥️
Praise God for his timing, Bridget. That warms my heart that he used this post to minister to you right when you needed it! Hallelujah!
Love Luther’s quote!
“My history bears the fingerprints of grace.”
Douglas Kaine McKelvey from ‘Every Moment Holy’.
Thank you, Nancy for sharing these rich truths on God’s amazing grace!
Oh, I love that book! And McKelvey is so right. It is a wondrous thing to look back and see God’s fingerprints of grace on events, relationships, provisions, and more! So glad you loved the Luther quote, Pam–I did too!
I, too, love the quote by Martin Luther, the reminder that His grace is ever present in our lives. I needed this today–your words are timely and wise. Thanks, my friend.
Thank you Dayle for your kind words. Praise God for his inspiration, direction, and timing!
I see it my adult students who are looking for a second chance – to get a high school diploma or returning to finish that degree. Many filled with regrets – but they get a do over.
So true, R-H. Our Lord IS a God of second chances! What a delight it must be to see your students overcome the challenges of their lives and achieve those long-held dreams. I pray God’s blessing upon you as you minister to them!
It’s a delight indeed. Thank you Nancy!
Hi Nancy,
I love this statement!
Having trouble with my wordpress password today and don’t have time to reset.
Just wanted to thank you for this uplifting post!
Love,
Laurie
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Thank you, Laurie. I’m sorry WordPress didn’t cooperate for you. It CAN misbehave now and then! (Either that, or their server.)
I’ve seen God’s fingerprint on two loved ones this week through answered prayer. One was completely healed as he went home to Jesus. The other is improving slowly, but miraculously. God was working and listening before our prayers were even uttered.
I love that you see God’s fingerprints on both, Linda. Nothing could be better for that first loved one you mentioned, than to be finished with earthly trials and finally be with Jesus. I AM very sorry for your loss, for the pain of grief for those left behind.
Thank you, Nancy. ✝️
Ah, fingerprints. every tree stump has the growth rings for each year….every tree grows differently, none the same, yet all God’s fingerprints.
Thank you for adding your insight, Gary. The vast variegations in creation do speak of God’s holy creativity, beyond full comprehension, beyond replication!
I don’t have to dust for fingerprints that I see so often in my life. I know it is God’s fingerprints all over every area of my life! Your post is once again a huge blessing to me, Nancy. I love every bit of it. Thank you!
Praise God he brings blessing to you through these posts, Patty. I love the fact you don’t have to “dust for fingerprints” to see evidence of God’s work in your life. That speaks volumes about his grace, because the challenges you face could easily hide that evidence. Well done, good and faithful servant!
You’re a sweet blessing to me, Nancy.
As you are to me, Patty.
This is beautiful and encouraging, Nancy. Thank you.
It’s such a delight for me, Mary, when I can bring encouragement to you! 🥰
What a great thought – God’s fingerprints on my life. So many time and space does not allow to give them all. But today I see His grace in the red bud trees in my yard. In the robin hopping around the back yard. God’s creation shows his grace and love to us.
Oh yes, Barb–God’s grace and love is definitely on display in his creation! Just yesterday on our way home from church I marveled at the shades of green among the hills. So many wonders to behold when we take time to observe–and all of it the workmanship of his hands!
Interesting I have been pondering the Grace of Space – the spaces between our conversation, between each other, space for God’s grace to enter when we don’t crowd the Divine out…We are having a similar journey!
Oo-oo–sounds like a blog post is ready to be born, Jean: Space for God’s Grace. Praise God for the many ways and places he displays his wonderful grace to us! ‘Love that we’ve been on a similar journey lately!
A timely reminder, Nancy. I need to remember to “dust” for God’s fingerprints on a more regular basis.
It does take some intentionality, doesn’t it. We so easily become preoccupied with our own agendas and to-do lists. Here’s to dusting for divine fingerprints each day–and finding resplendent glory!
This spoke to me: “Our God of grace works in us so he can work through us—all to his and our mutual delight (Philippians 2:13).”
I trust the Lord that my spiritual Facebook posts are successful in reaching the unsaved.
I am also blessed by the hymns and their backstories that continue to be gracing my soul.
I’m sure God IS working through you, Cheri, because he’s always faithful to keep his promises, and you have such a passionate heart for others to know Jesus!