God of Grace
“God will never give you more than you can handle!” It’s not true. He often — almost always — gives us more than we can possibly handle. Yesterday, we worshiped the God of Grace. God always gives more grace than we can comprehend. Sometimes it is best to focus in on just one aspect.
Thomas Spurgeon, in his article on grace published in The Fundamentals, described grace as God’s “love flowing down.” It is love, demonstrated in so many forms. But it always flows down. Grace always flows from the superior to the inferior. Grace is what flows from the Master to the servant, from the Father to the Child, from the Creator to the creation. He infuses us with His strength, His wisdom, His patience, His love, just as we need them.
We try to pump ourselves up. “I can do this!” When the truth is, “I” can’t. In fact, thinking “I can” is a formula for disaster. God graciously allowed the Apostle Paul to face a defeating foe in the thorn in the flesh that pummeled him. Paul repeatedly asked God to remove this overwhelming obstacle. He doesn’t identify it, but whatever it was, it left him defeated and discouraged.
Yet, in the moment of deepest weakness God granted him the assurance that, while Paul himself could not overcome His trial, God would grant him the grace necessary to endure. In fact, Christ makes the profound nature of his grace complete in Paul’s weakness.
What a joy to worship the God who gives us the grace — the divine ability and empowerment — to face any obstacle.
Dr. Kevin Schaal serves as the pastor of Northwest Valley Baptist Church in Glendale, Arizona and as the President of the FBFI.