Tag Archives: grace

I Don’t Know Much

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“For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.”
(Psalm 135:5)

There are times in the ministry when I realize just how ill-equipped and limited I am for this calling.

I don’t know why tragedy has to touch the lives of the innocent.

I don’t know why cancer has to ravage and destroy.

I don’t know why we’d rather listen to half-truths and full out lies rather than walk in the light.

I don’t know why I stop relying on the Spirit of God when I’ve proven beyond doubt my utter inability.

I don’t know why the evil seem to prosper and the righteous are trampled, but it happens all the time.

I don’t know why my rebel heart (and maybe yours too) is so prone to leave the God who loves me so much, to wander off to enjoy momentary and fleeting pleasures, rather than delighting in eternal joy.

I don’t know why I return to my sins when I see the suffering and pain they caused my Savior.

I don’t know why I become complacent when I am daily confronted with the majestic glory of the Almighty.

I don’t know much.

But this I know.  Our God is great!  Our God is faithful!  Our God is majestic and glorious!  Our God is stronger than any conflict, bigger than any obstacle, wiser than any problem, closer than any trouble.  Our God can heal any disease, redeem every situation, sanctify any sinner.  There is nothing beyond His power, nothing out of His reach, nothing He has not already seen, nothing He cannot handle.

I don’t know much, but what I know is enough to shine the light into every darkened corner.  It is enough to give hope to every weary sinner.  It is enough to strengthen the fainthearted and support the weak.

I don’t know much, but I know that God’s grace is sufficient, and his power is made perfect in weakness.  “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (1 Cor 12:9).

SDG

A State of Grace

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“He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.”
Psalm 72:13

Today’s message comes to you from the couch, courtesy of a steady supply of Cold and Sinus medication, and a strong cup of coffee. The Sayler house has the Flu – I feel like there should be a “bio-hazard” warning sign on our front door. It’s really pathetic; I can’t sleep at night because of the cough and the chills, but can’t seem to muster the strength to accoppmlish anything during the day. The kids (the healthy ones, anyway) have made it to school, dressed, fed, and on time – and the dishes are done, but that’s about the extent of my abilities today.
A Doctor friend of mine put it this way, “The first day you’re afraid you’re going to die, the second day you’re afriad you won’t.” Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I think I’ve said more than once in the midst of all this, “Come, Lord Jesus!”
Lying here, however, I realized once again how each and every sickness is a parable of the sickness of the soul. I can’t rally the strength to get off the couch today, and there is work to be done. I know what I need to do – for the family, and for work – but my body is working against me. My head feels thick and weighs about a ton, and someone keeps playing with the thermostate in here, from cold to hot every 10 minutes. I feel useless, Christi said I looked old, and there is nothing I can do to make myself better. Is that not the condition of the soul in sin?
And this is where the gospel says, “Exactly.” In 2 Corinthians 12, we are reminded that God’s grace is suffifient, for his “power is made perfect in weakness.” It is precisely when we are at our weakest, when we are unable to do anything for ourselves to bring about our own salvation, our own health, that Christ comes to us in his Grace and Mercy. “When we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom 5:8). “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Eph 2:8).
Those who think they are strong think they have no need of a savior. It is those who are weak, those who cry out for help, who find it. God has great compassion on the weak. Psalm 72 teaches us, “He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.”
So am I glad to be sick, and to come from a house of sick people? No, not really. But I can rejoice in all things, even in this, and I can give thanks! Why? Because even in this condition, no especially in this condition, I see the Good News of God’s grace. When I was utterly helpless to do anything about my own salvation, God secured for me forgiveness and everlasting life through Christ my Lord.
Grace and Peace,
SDG