“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21 NIV)
After several years of time apart, I recently had my first sit-down conversation with a friend. She is a person who always has a smile on her face, no matter the circumstances, and you can tell her faith is the foundation for who she is. As we caught up on the last several years, sharing kid stories and other things, she talked about the ways their family has changed. Her husband has struggled with “Long Covid” for the last two years. This enthusiastic, kind, professional man who used to run seven miles a day can’t leave the house without a wheelchair because of intense fatigue. He had to leave his full time job supporting his family because of brain fog from covid, and she had to go back to work to help support their family. He’s tried a variety of treatments to address the symptoms that “long-haulers” have, but none have improved his condition. Their kids – now 14 and 16 – have learned how to care for Dad and help Mom in new ways.
For many of us these life-changing and challenging circumstances would be TOO MUCH. Instead, as I talked with her I heard a thread of God’s grace. Instead of wallowing in the reality of very difficult circumstances, she had a smile on her face and was sharing all the ways in which God had provided for their family over these past years. Her health has improved, she’s working at a job she would never have sought out but loves, and family members have stepped in to provide unexpected help financially. In all of it she recognizes God’s presence; the thread of grace running through our conversation was of God’s goodness and provision.
I was reminded of a couple of scriptures with which you are probably familiar, but are good reminders:
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.” (2 Corinthians 4:8-10 NLT)
And
“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NIV)
I doubt that any of us WANT to suffer, yet if we aren’t currently, then we are surrounded in this world by many people who are suffering. This is part of living in a deeply fallen world. Yet we are not alone. We don’t have to live life crushed, despairing, knocked down or abandoned because God’s grace, strength, courage, and peace is offered to us. Our hope is in God. The Apostle Paul even tells us that suffering has a purpose – to produce perseverance, character, and hope because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through Holy Spirit.
God’s grace is upon us when we have good family and friends surrounding and encouraging us in troubled times. God’s grace is upon us when he supernaturally meets our financial or other needs. And God’s grace surrounds us in the small things like sunny days, safe car rides, a meal out, or the smiles of a friend. Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, ties together the threads of grace for us.
Lord God,
Thank you for being Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, especially in the challenging parts of life. Thank you for abundantly pouring out your grace, faith, and love upon us. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for being our Comforter and Guide when we or others around us are suffering. Give us what we need to bless and encourage others who are suffering. Help us allow you to mold us into the image of Christ, no matter our circumstances, but pour out your abundant GRACE upon us. Weave within our lives your love and grace in such a way that we are encouraged to remain true to you with all our hearts.
In Jesus’s name we pray, Amen
“So Abraham called the name of that place, ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.'” (Genesis 22:14 ESV)
“When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” (Acts 11:23 NIV)
“We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-9 TPT)
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 1:14 NIV)
(from “Trading My Sorrows”)
I am pressed but not crushed
Persecuted not abandoned
Struck down but not destroyed
I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure
That his joy’s gonna be my strength
Though the sorrow may last for the night
His joy comes with the morning