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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How wonderful!!
The grace and glory of our God are truly wonder-filled. And to think he lavishes them upon us day after day! Beyond incredible.
We are blessed beyond measure by God’s infinite grace and glory, Nancy. We certainly can’t earn grace and we definitely don’t deserve it, but I’m so grateful that God sees otherwise. Thanks for this inspiring, comforting post today.
Amen, Martha. Praise God for his grace, blessing us out of all his glorious attributes!
Good read! “The more aware you are of God’s grace, the more humble, prayerful, thankful, patient, gracious, content, and joyful you will be” – thanks for sharing that, so true!
You’re welcome, Lisa. My heart resonated with that statement also. Isn’t it amazing that just contemplating God’s grace can have such a positive effect on our outlook, character, emotions, actions, and reactions? “Amazing Grace” for sure!
Thank you for a comprehensive breakdown listing the many, many reasons we should exalt God with our gratitude. 🙂
You’re welcome, Nancy. It was an uplifting exercise for me to put this post together. Isn’t it a glorious thing, we can never run out of reasons to exalt our God!
Amen to that! 😁✝️🤗
I’m glad to see this timely post. A day or two ago I saw a news article reporting a judge who was unhappy that charges were dismissed against someone. He called it “unearned grace.” What? I thought grace was a free gift. In fact, I’m counting on God’s grace because I can not begin to earn it. Thank you for a beautiful post!
Indeed, God’s grace IS a free gift–for those who come to him in humble acknowledgement of their sin. Perhaps the judge saw evidence of a proud, unrepentant heart in that person charged with a crime. Even God’s grace is for those who repent and turn to him (Acts 3:19). I too “count on God’s grace because I cannot begin to earn it,” and praise him for his promise: “The Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation” (Psalm 149:4)!
You are probably right. There were politics from both “sides” involved in this situation, and I was trying to stay away from that.
Ah yes–I can see that too!
Thank you for this encouragment. I’m thankful for God’s grace and glory. His love comforts me. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Praise God you found encouragement in this post, Melissa. There is MUCH comfort in his love, as we contemplate all the ways he manifests his affection for us–moment by moment!
Love this Nancy, such an encouraging reminder of what it means when we think of the Lord gives His grace and His glory. Truly boogles my mind, am humbled and grateful.
My mind is boggled too, Manu! And “boggle” does indeed lead to grateful worship.
Beautiful, Nancy!
Thank you, Wynne. Praise God for his inspiration and guidance as we write!
We are so greatly blessed! ❤
Amen to that, Anna!
This was most definitely uplifting and encouraging. Thank you, Nancy, for taking the time to remind us of what great gifts of glory and grace we do have from the Lord. I needed that reminder today.
Praise God for his timing, Dayle. I’m so grateful he used this post to especially minister to you, right when you needed it!
What a wonderful topic, Nancy! I know that I’m continuously asking the Lord for more and more grace!
Oh yes–“Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace!” (A line from an old hymn–long before your time!!) We are needful of God’s grace all day, every day, aren’t we.
Very inspiring post! It is God’s grace that sustains us day to day and moment to moment. I love that you highlight the importance of ‘noticing’ God’s grace at work in our lives…His grace is abundant and without end!
So glad you found inspiration here, Linda. With you I praise God for his abundant grace that sustains us day to day and moment to moment!
I love how you laid out so clearly the meaning of grace and glory. Those are words we often toss around without really examining their value in our lives. It’s almost too much to fathom. Thank you for this powerful post, Nancy.
Thank you, Patty. I agree with you wholeheartedly: God’s grace and glory–poured out on US, no less–is almost too much to fathom. But what delight and uplift we experience when we try!
Thanks for all you shared from that verse. I especially like the part about God giving glory. I don’t often think about that aspect of it and what a blessing it is!
Isn’t it amazing? Even as we seek to give glory to God, he–in all his magnificence–is giving glory to not-so-magnificent US!
God’s GRACE was on full display this week. Mom got dizzy from getting up too quickly, fell down, and passed out. I immediately began to pray that she would be OK. She was transported to the hospital, had tests, and everything was fine. Her only wound was a cut on her ear. I prayed, and a couple of my pastor friends also prayed. And I so very thankful and give God all the GLORY!
Your mom is one strong lady! Thanking and praising God with you that once again he brought her through a distressing occurrence.
Thanks for breaking this down so thoughtfully. Makes it very clear how u deserved His grace and glory truly are. But I’m ever so thankful to my Savior.
Yes indeed, Sue–ever so thankful!