This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In this series we have looked at Jesus and how grace was the underlying current that led him to perform many of His miracles. We have look at some specific grace cases, like Moses and David, and it is clear that God went out of His way to initiate a relationship with each man and then use them mightily, for His glory. And we will look at others, like Paul, who was playing on the opposing team when the Lord called Him and led him to change sides. In every case, studying grace has given us an opportunity to put the emphasis for the success, victory, and glory, back on God. I have been teaching on faith for years and I can admit that even the best faith-teacher, can at times, put too much emphasis on human effort. Grace takes the emphasis off of us and shines the spotlight on a God who made plans for us before we were born, and then dutifully works with us to fulfill those plans while we are in the land of the living.
The words of the song “Amazing Grace” have new meaning for me now. The more I study grace the more I appreciate God and His loving kindness and tender mercy toward me. I, like Paul, can say that I am what I am by the grace of God. I shudder to think where I would be and who I would be, without the grace of God. Grace reminds us that our life is about God and His Kingdom plans and purposes for us, not about us and our often selfish desires.
I am glad the Lord led me this morning to write about putting the emphasis on Him. In a few hours I will get promoted to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five in the United States Army. I had family come in last night from Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. Others will travel today and a group of family, friends, and colleagues will all meet in the Pentagon for the ceremony. As I think about the promotion and what it means, I can’t help but go right back to the grace of God. My mother came to this country in 1970 without a dime. I was born in 1972 and my parents divorced in 1975. My mother struggled to raise me, and later my sister. We grew up on public assistance, in the murder capital of the murder capital at the time (East New York, Brooklyn), in a place where tragedies were commonplace and dreams were scarce. However, the Lord saw fit to choose me. Like David, I have been promoted in front of those who dismissed me. Like Moses, I have sometimes argued with God and attempted to disqualify myself from what He has qualified me for. But like Jesus, I attempt to submit myself to the Father’s will, to be used of the Father, for His glory. Not because I am perfect, not because I earned it, not because I deserve it, but simply because of God’s amazing grace. When I get promoted today many will say that it was because I worked hard, or I am smart, or I have contributed so much, but I will share with you now what I will share with others later, and that is that my promotion has come by the grace of God. I am not the smartest network engineer, I am not the greatest leader, and I am not the most prepared staff officer, but I am a child of God, who is willing to submit to God, to be used of Him by His grace. That’s the reason why I believe the Lord has seen fit to promote and to continue to use me in His Army, to serve in the United States Army.
So what does this mean to you today? Two simple things:
1. You are who you are, by the grace of God.
2. If you earnestly acknowledge the grace of God on your life, you will be able to properly give God the praise for who you have become and all you have been able to do.
Closing Confession: Father, I sincerely thank You for Your overwhelming grace on my life. I can look back and acknowledge the fact that You have been with me every step of the way. You made plans for me before I was born and You have walked with me, even before I ever called You Lord, to help bring Your Kingdom plans and purposes for my life to pass. You are the base and boundary, center and circumference, balance and beauty of my life. You are my all and all. It is in You that I live, move, and have my being. If I had 10,000 tongues, I could not thank You enough. I know I am not a self-made man/woman. I am who I am by Your grace and I am not ashamed to say it! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
