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
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From the Inside Out 