On careful scrutiny, we find
that God’s grace-filled fingerprints
are all over our lives.
—Patsy Clairmont [1]
“Amen!” we say, when life is good.
“I’m not so sure,” we may falter, when life is hard.
But our loving Heavenly Father would have us know several truths, before we presume he’s withholding his grace (his favor, generosity, and loving kindness).
First, we need to remember: not one of us deserves his grace.
All of us have compiled a “long and sorry record as sinners”[2] that should result in punishment.
And yet he offers grace upon grace [3].
Second, God proved his over-arching favor with one incomprehensible act.
He sent his Son Jesus to die in our place, to pay the debt for our sins, and provide a way to heaven for us.
Our Savior kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, he reaches out in kindness and grace and says, “I can clean that if you want.” And from the basin of his grace he scoops a palm full of mercy and washes away our sin.” [4]
Max Lucado
That alone provides a supreme, grace-filled fingerprint upon our lives. But there is more.
Out of his grace, God supplies an abundance.
Of course, a Kempis wasn’t referring to a problem-free life with every desire fulfilled. That’s not what God has promised.
Those of us who’ve known God for a while can attest to the supreme value of such blessings as God’s strengthening presence, inexplicable peace, effervescent joy, unfailing provision, and more.
Our challenge is to see the evidence of God’s grace. The more we look, the more we’ll find.
Fourth, God’s grace works within us to provide great benefit.
He’s graciously shaping us into what is useful and beautiful to him, what is satisfying and fulfilling to us. Not that the process is always agreeable and pleasant.
We’d do well to keep in mind:
Fifth, even when the severest trouble comes, God’s grace will see us through.
The grace of God, which is sufficient, will enable us to make of our troubles the pearls they can become. It is no mere figure of speech. It is something more than a simile to say that one enters heaven through pearly gates. [6]
Peter Marshall
Consider these men who entered heaven through the pearly gates of calamity:
- Stephen was the first martyr of the Christian faith. There’s no record that he cried out in terror as men threw rocks at him. Instead, scripture tells us he was praying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”[7]
- Polycarp became a disciple of the Apostle John. As he faced martyrdom, Polycarp declared: “Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved me? . . . I bless Thee for deigning me worthy of this day and this hour that I may be among Thy martyrs and drink the cup of my Lord Jesus Christ.” Polycarp was burned alive.
- Matthew Ayairga wasn’t a Christian when he plus twenty believers were captured by ISIS in 2015. These twenty men of strong faith greatly influenced Matthew’s life. When the executioners asked him if he believed in Jesus Christ, Matthew said, “Their God is my God.” The young man was beheaded that day along with the others, but found life with Christ for all eternity [8].
Each of these martyrs discovered:
* * * * * * * * * *
O Sovereign God! We praise you for the grace of your sustaining power. May we recognize more readily your fingerprints of grace, and in the process become more gracious ourselves–more loving, grateful, and obedient to you.
May that growing awareness prepare us to praise you, serve you, and prosper in our spirits—even unto death.
[1] The Best Devotions of Patsy Clairmont
[2] Romans 3:23 MSG
[3] John 1:16
[4] Grace for the Moment, 352.
[5] Keeping the Heart
[6] The Best of Peter Marshall, 89.
[7] Acts 7:59-60
[8] Matthew 10:39
Art & photo credits: http://www.pickpik.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pikist.com; http://www.canva.com; http://www.pexels.com.
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Amen Nancy! Thanks for sharing.
I once heard of an acronym that reminds me of His undeserved grace towards us . . .
God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
Thank you, Fred, for adding that very meaningful and helpful acronym to the conversation!
Max Lucado’s quote is over the top great, as are the others. I don’t recall the details of Matthew Ayairga and the twenty others who were captured by Isis and executed. Praise the Good Lord for the evangelism of the twenty who helped Matthew accept Jesus into his life before being executed. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing these profound thoughts about God’s grace. 🙂
I’m so glad you found the post meaningful, Nancy. If you’d like to know more about Matthew Ayairga and the twenty other martyrs, here’s a website to get you started: https://www.vomcanada.com/ly-2015-04-23.htm
Thank you!
He gives us new grace and mercy for each new day, so that we can stand for holiness. Love this post
AMEN to your comment, Brenda. May we stand strong together for holiness as you’ve stated!
I’m currently reading the book by Kaleigh McEnany called “Serenity in the Storm,”, with the subtitle, “Living through chaos by leaning on Christ”. Oh, the magnificent stories she relates of those living through persecution, yet staying faithful to the promises of an Almighty God! It is over the top inspirational for all Christians, and for those who might be contemplating a life dedicated to the Lord. I so hope you will consider putting this one on your reading list, Nancy.
Blessings!
Sounds like a wonderful book, Martha. I do appreciate reading recommendations from others whom I respect! I AM putting it on my TBP list.
Nancy, what a wonderful quote. I love how you expounded upon it and helped us to identify without a doubt God’s unique fingerprint on our life.
Thank you, Beth. That opening quote of Patsy Clairmont grabbed my attention and thought it just might be meaningful to others also! You are so right: WITHOUT A DOUBT God’s grace-filled fingerprints are all over our lives EVERY DAY. I praise him for his loving attention, as I know you do too.
God’s grace is amazing! Thank you Nancy for an excellent post!
And thank YOU for your encouragement, Pam. It does our hearts good to review God’s grace every now and then, reminding ourselves just how loving and compassionate he is toward us.
amen and amen. love the line: God’s grace-filled fingerprints. Not just all over our lives but within our souls too.
Isn’t that a wonderful line? Might have to revisit Ms. Clairmont’s statement sometime and pursue another line of inquiry. History and the world of nature, for example, offer two more categories where the fingerprints of God are visible. The more we see and know, the more we marvel in his magnificence! / Thank you, Jean!
Love that Flavel quote. And ALL the good reminders you share with us here. Thank you for your faithful witness, friend. So welcome. So needed. So wonderfully used by the Spirit to edify and encourage us all.
I love the Flavel quote too–helps puts circumstances in perspective for me. And thank you for your encouraging comments, Laurie. Your kind support means much to me!
Beautiful, Nancy! I’d never heard of grace-filled fingerprints before. What an awesome thought!!
I was taken by that image as well, Sheila!
A stirring reminder of what real faith is, Nancy!
Thank you, Mitch. I was stirred as I researched and wrote!
“Grace, grace, God’s grace. Grace that is greater than all my sin.” Sometimes I don’t stop to really think about the miracle of God’s grace. Your words, and the quotes you have shared, are a powerful reminder of what God’s grace really is. Thank you, Nancy.
And thank you for adding that grand old hymn to the conversation, Patty! We do well to remind ourselves now and then of his “marvelous infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe!” Hallelujah!
I admire Polycarp’s words as he faced martyrdom. I can’t imagine being in that position but can only hope my words would be similar.
Great post to praise God for His sweet mercy and grace.❤️
I too find it hard to imagine being in such a position as Polycarp and many martyrs before or since. I put my hope is such scriptures as Philippians 4:13. God WILL give us the strength necessary, if and when we face such circumstances!
Philippians 4:13 one of my favorite verses and the one that really grabbed my attention and turned me to Jesus. ❤️
Nancy,Hoping you are having a Blessed Sunday! I really enjoyed this post!! It reminded me of a conversation we had prior to Ste e’s retirement. H2H event we were preparing for. You were encouraging me to keep the faith, know the Lord’s plan is always worth waiting on.Well I can honestly say I see his Grace-Filled Fingerprints of that come full circle in my life over the last several years. A long time waiting! My fiance David and I will be married on October 20th of 2023. We are so excited about the wedding!! I’d live to speak to you soon! If you could send me your number via e-mail? Sisters in Christ,Candy Fahland
Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
I’m so glad you enjoyed this post, Candy. How wonderful that you see evidence of God’s grace-filled fingerprints as he brought David into your life! I’m excited FOR you! Yes, I will send you my phone number–it will be delightful to hear your voice!
Wonderful post! I do like that quote about the pearly gates… thank you for sharing this reflection with us! I also like you comment in regard to God’s grace…””The more we look, the more we will find.”
Thank you, Linda! I’m delighted you found some nuggets here that ministered to your heart.
Great post. Just as an irritant in an oyster helps to create a beautiful pearl, so does the Lord make something beautiful out of the darkest acts of our lives if we confess our sins and accept His wonderful Grace and become clean anew. How very kind and forgiving is our Lord Jesus. It reminds me of the Gaither song ‘Something Beautiful’. We are so blessed that even though we will fail Him again and again…as we are human…His grace is boundless!
Another great chorus that speaks of God’s grace toward us (even if the word GRACE doesn’t appear in the lyrics)! Thank you for mentioning it, Cheri. Indeed, his grace is boundless to make something beautiful of our lives, in spite of our failures!
“Grace” has always been one of my favorite words, Nancy (maybe a nod to the dinner table when I was a child). To the point of this post, I think the definition of grace cannot be effectively captured by a mere entry in the dictionary. Instead, it is inherently linked to God and all that he does in our lives. To put it another way, grace is a wholly positive thing. I am “grateful” for God’s “grace”!
I’m grateful too, Dave. I can’t imagine my life without his forgiveness, guidance, loving kindness, and compassion–just a few of the facets of his grace!
Hi Nancy,
God’s grace is amazing because if He wants someone Jesus blood makes them holy. Perfectly forgiven,
Gary
And praise God, he’s not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). He’s ready to make anyone holy (set apart) who desires that gift from him (1 Thessalonians 5:23-28; 2 Timothy 1:9-10)!
Blessings Nancy for this timeless testament to God’s grace. His fingerprints are seen throughout our faith journey. Thanks be to God.
Amen, Richard–thanks be to God for his gracious faithfulness to us all along life’s pathway!