Is Grace Dependable? You Bet
I watched a show on Discovery a few week ago and I had this thought after watching the show, but before I get too far don’t forget to take this weeks poll on the blog!!!
A favorite attraction at Yellowstone National Park is the geyser known as Old Faithful which erupts every 67 minutes. Old Faithful is not the largest geyser, nor does it reach the greatest height. Nevertheless, it is by far the most popular geyser. Its popularity is due mainly to its regularity and dependability. You can count on Old Faithful!
Would that or could that be said of each of us? I have learned that nothing in life can take the place of dependability and faithfulness. It is one of the greatest virtues. Giftedness, intellect, competence–all take a back seat to the quality of faithfulness.
When we think of dependability, isn’t it wonderful to know that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever?
When we read, Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever we are speaking of the character of Jesus Christ and we are saying:
Jesus Christ is dependable yesterday, today, and forever!
Jesus Christ is loyal yesterday, today, and forever!
Jesus Christ is all-powerful yesterday, today, and forever!
Jesus Christ is consistent, available, faithful yesterday, today, and forever!
Jesus Christ is full of grace and truth yesterday, today, and forever!
He is the One who never wavers, never changes. His promises are for sure. His Word is dependable. He is not a man that He should lie. He is not fickle or swayed by the pressures of emotions, circumstances, or people.
So when we speak of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ of which the scripture says: “It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace.”; we are speaking of that which is dependable! We are speaking of that which is lasting, consistent, available…we are speaking of that which is of old and yet remains the same today. It is Grace which never fails. Dependable grace!
This is grace we need every day of our lives. Dependable grace available to us from a dependable Lord who encourages and strengthens our hearts. This grace gives us courage to stay true to Jesus and even bear reproach for His sake. And this grace prepares us and keeps us looking for the coming of our Lord.
The longer I walk with Jesus, the more aware I am of my need for grace, and the more grateful I am for the grace which I have received…the grace in which I presently stand…and the grace which will one day take me home to be forever with my Lord.
Grace reminds me that life is a gift and that the love of God given to me freely is a gift. Grace reminds me that salvation is a gift, forgiveness is a gift, and deliverance from sin is a gift. Grace reminds me that heaven is a gift and when I stand at its gates it is only by grace that I will find entrance. I have done nothing to deserve any of these gifts. It is grace, the unmerited favor of God poured out upon me.
Matthew 7:24 – 29 (TMSG) “These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock. 25Rain poured down, the river flooded, a tornado hit—but nothing moved that house. It was fixed to the rock. 26“But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life, you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach. 27When a storm rolled in and the waves came up, it collapsed like a house of cards.” 28When Jesus concluded his address, the crowd burst into applause. They had never heard teaching like this. 29It was apparent that he was living everything he was saying—quite a contrast to their religion teachers! This was the best teaching they had ever heard.
You and I need something dependable upon which to build our lives. I commend to you The Solid Rock, Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today, and forever!
There is dependable grace to strengthen and encourage you to build your life upon truth. You cannot build your life upon truth without grace enabling you…because lies become appealing excuses for compromise, for living by the standards of convenience and comfort. Which is living without a foundation, and the result is chaos, confusion, discontentment, and eventually the collapse of all you have built. Because unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain!
We need encouraging and strengthening grace so we can build our lives on truth.
God forgive us, and may we repent and receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.
Thank God grace is found as we go to Jesus so that we might have courage to stay true to Him.
God grant us grace to be courageous for Jesus!
May our lives be firmly identified with Jesus and our lips unashamedly confess His Name!
Let us agree that our God is an ever present help in time of need. Let praise come forth from your life, for He is worthy. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever…so let’s praise Him!
And let’s be sensitive, compassionate, and generous towards others, just as the Lord has been with us. Let us be about our Father’s business. Let us do good and share.
Let us look to Jesus with praise on our lips. Let us not whine and complain our way through life like spoiled children. By His power and His grace let us be encouraged to build our lives upon truth, to be courageous for Jesus, and to be ready for His soon return.
For with such a life; a life totally dependent upon the grace of our Lord…God is pleased!
Anticipate!!!
Pastor Bryan Strickland
