Abba,
Your grace amazes us. It is limitless in measure. It is freely accessible to us. It is profound in its application. It is mystifying in it’s depth and beauty!
But as I was reminded this morning, it is also violent and unrelenting.
We are a danger to ourselves. Our hearts are wicked and vile and even though we have been graced with a new nature, a new heart, the old sin still lingers in us and rears it old ugly head to strike. We wrestle and contend with it on a daily basis. And at times, Your grace in our life is evidenced by a violent wrenching; a ripping us away from that which we long for in the flesh but which will cause us great harm if we pursue it. At times, Your grace in our lives violently and unapologetically rips us away from that which would cause us harm so that You can give to us that which is better and good.
What is profound and glorious about this truth is that, even though for a time that wrenching is painful and terrible, it produces in us something of immense beauty and joy. You will stop at nothing to protect us from ourselves. You will stop at nothing to give to us the best You have to offer. You will stop at nothing to satisfy us with Your glory and majesty! You evidenced this when You sent Your Son to die in our place. And if this means that You cause us pain for a while, You will freely do it if it means that in so doing, You grant to us that which is of greater value and worth.
Grant us the wisdom and grace to comprehend the joy that comes through this wrenching and tearing. Grant us the insight and wisdom to appreciate, embrace, and even find joy when You tear from us that which would cause us harm and give us peace to rest in Your grace and loving care.
Thank you for loving us too much to allow us to continue in destructive and sinful patterns and for causing gracious pain to protect us from ourselves.
We love you Abba,
Amen.
See Judges 2-3
Your grace amazes us. It is limitless in measure. It is freely accessible to us. It is profound in its application. It is mystifying in it’s depth and beauty!
But as I was reminded this morning, it is also violent and unrelenting.
We are a danger to ourselves. Our hearts are wicked and vile and even though we have been graced with a new nature, a new heart, the old sin still lingers in us and rears it old ugly head to strike. We wrestle and contend with it on a daily basis. And at times, Your grace in our life is evidenced by a violent wrenching; a ripping us away from that which we long for in the flesh but which will cause us great harm if we pursue it. At times, Your grace in our lives violently and unapologetically rips us away from that which would cause us harm so that You can give to us that which is better and good.
What is profound and glorious about this truth is that, even though for a time that wrenching is painful and terrible, it produces in us something of immense beauty and joy. You will stop at nothing to protect us from ourselves. You will stop at nothing to give to us the best You have to offer. You will stop at nothing to satisfy us with Your glory and majesty! You evidenced this when You sent Your Son to die in our place. And if this means that You cause us pain for a while, You will freely do it if it means that in so doing, You grant to us that which is of greater value and worth.
Grant us the wisdom and grace to comprehend the joy that comes through this wrenching and tearing. Grant us the insight and wisdom to appreciate, embrace, and even find joy when You tear from us that which would cause us harm and give us peace to rest in Your grace and loving care.
Thank you for loving us too much to allow us to continue in destructive and sinful patterns and for causing gracious pain to protect us from ourselves.
We love you Abba,
Amen.
See Judges 2-3
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