God's Grace:  Receiving what you need, not always what you want

God’s grace is His goodness, His direction, His guidance, and His watch care for His children.  His grace helps us stop sinning, induces joy, lifts us up in difficult moments, and leads us along His path.  Someone once said that grace is “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense”.  

God’s grace also gives us everything we need, not necessarily everything we want.  For example, the Apostle Paul asked the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh that had been plaguing him for a long time.  In fact, Paul states, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.” (2 Corinthians 12:8)  Three times Paul asked; yet, this was God’s response:  “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”  (2 Corinthians 12:9). 

In other words – Paul thought he needed healing, but the Lord knew he needed grace.  Think about the one thing you have desired to have all your life, that dream you are holding on to, or that infirmity you are having a hard time bearing.  Ask yourself:  would my life be better if I had what I wanted, but did not have God’s grace?  Sometimes, God answers “no” to our prayer requests for one simple reason:  He has something much better for us!  Do not fail God’s grace; accept it with gladness.  Even though God did not take away Paul’s infirmity, Paul continued to lead others to Jesus and, in fact, he learned how to take pleasure in his distresses.  Moreover, Paul now could say, “When I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Let God’s grace work through you today; look for God’s grace in your own weaknesses.  In this way, you will give Him all the glory!


MP3 Download:  04.14.2013 - A Remembering Grace - Pastor Doug Mann