G-R-A-C-E

The topic for our women’s Bible study this year is Women Walking in Grace. This week the speaker used an acronym for GRACE in the lesson. She encouraged us to come up with our own. I hadn’t really planned on doing this, but early this morning (when I hoped I’d be sleeping), I was thinking about God’s grace. God is always gracious, His grace is always available, but I don’t always experience it to the fullest. If I am to revel in God’s grace, I need to keep some truths about God forefront in my thinking.

I must remember that God is:

Good.

When I don’t like the circumstances I am facing I can be tempted to forget that God is good, and knows what is good for me far better than I do myself.

Psalm 31:19 How great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast stored up for those who fear Thee, which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in Thee before the sons of men!
Psalm 107:1 Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 119:68a Thou art good and doest good
Psalm 145:9 The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.
Romans 8:28 And we know that God cause all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose

I must always remember that God is good. I may not see the good He’s doing in a particular situation at the time, but I can trust Him. When I do, I am strengthened by His grace.

Righteous

I must never view God through my circumstances or my perceptions, evaluating His character by my take on a particular situation. He is always righteous, totally and perfectly.

Psalm 71:19 For Thy righteousness, O God, reaches to the heavens, Thou who hast done great things; O God, who is like Thee?
Psalm 119:137 Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments.
Psalm 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.
Psalm 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways, and kind in all His deeds.
Daniel 9:14 ..For the Lord our God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done…

No matter how I may view any situation, I can be sure of God’s righteousness. When I do, I am refreshed by His grace.

Awesome

Although this word is used so often today, it has almost lost its meaning, only God is truly awesome. When I read His Word, I see His mighty power, His splendor, His majesty, His greatness. Yet sometimes I forget that His awesome might is just as true in my life as it is in the pages of Scripture. Nothing I face is too difficult for Him!

Exodus 15:11 Who is like Thee among the gods, O Lord? Who is like Thee, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
Psalm 65:5 By awesome deeds Thou does answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation, Thou who are the trust of all the ends of the earth, and of the farthest seas
Psalm 66:5 Come and see the works of God, who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
Psalm 145:6 And men shall speak of the power of Thine awesome acts; and I will tell of Thy greatness.
Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! Behold, Thou hast made the heavens and the earth by Thy great power and by Thine outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for Thee

When my heart if focused on the awesome power of God, any problems I have seem minuscule in comparison, and I am encouraged by God’s grace.

Caring

It is overwhelming to think that the God of the universe, creator of heaven and earth, cares about me! I can never get too discouraged if my heart is set on this truth.

Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?
Matthew 10 28 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
1 Peter 5:7 casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you.
1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God

When I remember how much God cares for me, I am comforted by His grace.

Enough

Sometimes I act like a relationship with God is not enough. I want some experience or emotion. I want a quick fix to my problem. I want some human or earthly pleasure. I must remind myself that contentment and satisfaction can be found in Him, and in Him alone.

Psalm 23:1,5-6 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. Thou dost prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 62:5-6 My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ
Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
2 Peter 2:3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence

I must never forget that God is enough. He has given me every spiritual blessing, everything pertaining to life and godliness. Only in Him can I find satisfaction. His grace is sufficient for me.

If I am to enjoy the fullness of God’s grace, I must continually remember these truths.

God is:
Good
Righteous
Awesome
Caring
Enough

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24-25)