2 Samuel 8,9; 2 Corinthians 2; Ezekiel 16; Psalms 58,59

My wife and I were watching a sermon on grace a few days ago and halfway through she said, “Isn’t this to simple?”  We dialogued afterwards and realized how glad we were that it was.

Can you imagine Mephibosheth’s reaction to grace?

David said to him, “Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan; I will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul, and you yourself shall eat at my table always.” 2 Samuel 9:7 NRSV

Do I want that kind of grace, that kind of kindness – for sure I do – for I clearly am a fallen sinner in need of this kind of God’s grace – one who does not deserve it, could never earn it and would never be able to repay it.

My wife and I were also challenged in how we communicate grace to others – and we named a few people in our lives where that needed to be our focus.

For I wrote you out of much distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain, but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you. 2 Corinthians 2:4 NRSV

We affirmed that there definitely is a grace that needs to be exhibited in our communication styles for at some point we too have come from a place of joy received from the recovery of grace.

I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord, in order that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I forgive you all that you have done, says the Lord God. Ezekiel 16:62-63 NRSV

Yes, my wife and I had the same trouble most of us have – cannot talk about grace without talking about judgement. We both concluded that the all-important work of atonement was not overlooking sin, but our sin being covered by God’s marvellous grace.

O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.  Psalm 59:17 NRSV

With a bit of study, I found the Aramaic Bible translates that last part of this verse as, “and the God of my grace!” Yes, there my wife and I have found our joy as followers of Christ.

When I think of grace, I think of Your presence.  Wherever we may be found today and in whatever activity we may be engaged in, may we gather there with Your favour.  Lord, by Your favour, we mean favour us with Your grace, and with the love of God the Father, and with the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

evanlaar

 

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Genesis 18, Genesis 19, Matthew 6:1-18

It’s all about relationship! God and me – God and you. God for me, me for God. God treating me as my actions prove I choose. God with me, me with God – or polar opposites.

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Gen%2018,19;%20Mt%206:1-18&version=NKJV

Snippet overview:           The Lord physically appears and comes near to Abraham. Abraham recognizes his Lord and eagerly asks to tangibly serve God. God accepts. Abraham gives God his best. God tells Abraham to expect his only child within one year. God tells His plans for Abraham.

             God reveals to Abraham His intent to see if the outcry of Sodom and Gomorrah is as great as reported. Then ensues a heartfelt discussion between the two; God and man. “And Abraham came near and said, “Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked?” Genesis 18

             But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6

My Application:       God comes near to me. I want to serve the Lord God Almighty!

          Abraham said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. Please let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring …  You have come to your servant. So Abraham hurried…”

            I have found favor in God’s sight because of His Son Jesus Christ. God adopted me as His child by the blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, God calls me “friend”. John 15:13-16; John 1:1-3; John 1:10-14; John 1:29; John 3:5-7; Leviticus 17:11; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10; Romans 3:21-26

             I am called to serve the Lord, bearing much fruit for the delight of my Father. (John 15:5-10, 16)

           God reveals His plans to me, for me and others. I am to pray God’s Word in intercession.

God’s Motivation:             And the LORD said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, since Abraham shall surely become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him?

Why does God think this way? >> “For I have known him,” God knows me deeply, more than anyone can. God knows what to say/ do/ be for me.

The purpose of God’s relationship with me? >> “in order that he (or me) may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice”    I must command myself, my family and relations to keep the ways of God, doing righteousness and justice.

And the Lord’s purpose?  >> “that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”  So that God Himself may bring to fruition what God has foretold to Abraham. The same for me! So that God will fulfill His Good purpose through me. If I do not listen to the Lord Jesus Christ and obey His Word by His Holy Spirit, God’s best will not be accomplished through me.  

What happens if I don’t follow Jesus?  My life’s results could be similar to Sodom and Gomorrah. Possibly “the outcry against” me might be “great” because my sin would be very grave.

“And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the LORD. Then he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain; and he saw, and behold, the smoke of the land which went up like the smoke of a furnace.”

So how should I be? Just as Jesus Christ says. Live for my Holy Father in heaven, earnestly for God’s kingdom to come and His Will to be done within me and my life as it is in heaven. To live fervently for my Father in heaven Who is my very great reward. Genesis 15:1  The Lord Jesus says three times: “and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  

Personally, this affects me.         God cares about all of the details of my life and relationships! Jesus Christ draws near to me when I am open to Him. James 4:8 I may not be just like Sodom, but there are parts of me that surely get God’s negative attention. Sinful facets that He might want to obliterate! There are parts of me that get God’s positive attention, too. I cherish those! When I pray God’s Word for people’s lives and my own. When I submit to God’s Word and live by His Holy Spirit.

                 Lord God Almighty, thank You for choosing me – for knowing and loving me just as I am. For changing me by Your persevering Love, Communication and Correction. I cherish being in Your Presence – for there is where I am internally changed. Please continue to cause me to worship you in Spirit and in Truth, to repent to you for the sin You bring to my awareness, and to compel me to live by Your Word and Holy Spirit. Lord Jesus Christ, You are my life, my hope and very great reward. You say this! May I live Your Words internally so Your Word bears fruit everywhere, for your purpose and glory alone! John 4:24, John 14:6

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)