Less of Me, More of God’s Grace and Provision.
Romans 11:34-36
[34] For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? [35] And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? [36] For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
Today I want to focus all my efforts on praising and glorifying God. Paul is doing the same thing by getting into a deep explanation of God's grace and mercy. It's humbling to think of what the Lord does for me on a daily basis and what He forgives me for on a daily basis.
Waking up to a normal, unexciting day, we are still experiencing God's grace and goodness.
I am thankful beyond words that I don't get what I deserve. In my family's morning devotion time, I was discussing with my children how everything good is a gift from God. To really grasp the extent of this, we need to recognize what the good actually encompasses.
I just sold my broken-down truck. I took a huge loss on it and received a small fraction of what we had paid for it not that long ago. When I look at it through the lens of money and possessions, it's extremely frustrating and discouraging. But talking about it with my wife, I began to see something that really encouraged me and will require faith.
Each time we sold a vehicle, we downgraded—from my 3/4-ton diesel truck to a less expensive car, to a less expensive 1/2-ton gas truck, and now on to something way less than that. Here is the amazing thing: each time, the Lord is removing more and more of me and my ability while showing me that He still provides. Even if I only have $50.
This is where I am learning to recognize God's grace and provision in a completely different way.
This magnifies His grace and goodness and proves that less of me is the reason these situations work out the way they do. Believe it or not, this gives me peace because I know this is going to work out no matter what vehicle we get next.
God's grace and forgiveness are enough. Instead of focusing on what vehicle I drive and what my possessions say about me, I only want my heavenly Father's approval. I want to walk in His will for my life and grow by boldly taking each step based on the history He created by providing and blessing my faith. These milestones of God's grace and provision are what will carry me through new uncertainties.
Obedience isn't always massive leaps of faith; it starts with obeying in the ordinary daily routines.
God's grace is the unearned fuel for a life lived by faith.
Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.
Ephesians 2:8-10
[8] God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. [9] Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. [10] For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
