Near the end of Psalm 84, God inspired the sons of Korah to write:
Just what might that God-given grace and glory look like? Those two words deserve thoughtful consideration, agreed?
The definition of grace includes undeserved kindness, free favor to another, and the compassionate response of one who is able to help.
But God’s grace? Oh my. The fullness of his grace boggles the mind.
God’s grace includes:
- Pardoning grace and saving grace when we come to him with repentant hearts
- Adopting grace to bring us into his family; anchoring grace to provide stability and support along the path of life
- Perfecting grace of our mind, soul, and spirit; persevering grace enabling us to press on through challenges
- Strengthening grace for every moment; sustaining grace to finish strong
- Equipping grace for what God would have us do; empowering grace to bring that assignment to completion
- Soul-satisfying grace that fills the heart with shalom, the sum of all God’s blessings.
And what does the Lord’s grace bestow?
- Faith and hope that all will be well
- Peace, provision, and protection from ourselves
- Powerful, practical help in our daily lives
- Significance and purpose in life
- Goodness for us, goodness in us
- Gradual transformation (for those willing to cooperate), shaping us for our ultimate good
- The enablement to make our troubles into the pearls they can become [1]
Thomas á Kempis was right:
YET THERE IS MORE.
The psalmist also asserts that the LORD gives glory. Think of it: Not only is he glorious in himself—magnificent beyond comprehension–but he bestows glory upon us.
What kind of glory?
- The glory of dignity and worth of every person
- The glory of honor to be his children
- The glory of splendor, as we benefit from all God’s astounding attributes
- The glory of his presence, with us always.
And know this:
YET THERE IS STILL MORE!
Our future includes:
- The glory of all the perfections of heaven for all eternity!
- The unspeakable privilege of living in unbroken fellowship with God
- The overflowing joy of celestial worship like we’ve never experienced before
- The honor of reigning with Christ and serving him
- The delight of continual fellowship with other believers
- The thrill of sharing in God’s happiness [2]!
And why might such understanding of grace and glory be important?
“The more aware you are of God’s grace, the more humble, prayerful, thankful, patient, gracious, content, and joyful you will be” [3].
By his grace we see evidence of his glory around us, by his grace we experience his glory within our spirits, and by his grace he gives us glory.
* * * * * * * * * *
We praise you, God of all grace! You faithfully provide for our every need and invite us to share in your eternal glory in union with Christ. We praise you for lavishing your grace and glory upon us every day of our earthly lives and for all eternity!
Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 5:10, Isaiah 60:1, 2
[1] From The Best of Peter Marshall, 89. He goes on to say: “It is something more than a simile to say that one enters heaven through pearly gates.”
[2] Matthew 25:21
[3] Jon Bloom, Not by Sight, 112.
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