God’s grace awaits your gracious response
“Blessed are those You choose and bring near to live in Your courts!” Psalm 65:4 NIV.
My thoughts and comments today are that “grace is amazing.”
Where you live matters. I am not referring to the geographical part of the world where you live, nor the country, state, county, city, or neighborhood that you call home. Where do you feel most at home? Where do you know you are safe and loved? Where do you know others, and are also known by them? In David’s writings, he references where he wishes always to dwell, a place beyond the simple sheepfold of a shepherd, the dangerous battlefields of a warrior, the humble caves of a fugitive, or the elaborate palace of Israel’s king. But if you read his writings, David refers to a presence more than a place. “One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I shall seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His Temple.” Psalm 27:4 NAS.
Similarly, David expresses his desire and confidence, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6 NAS. David longed to be ever in the presence of His God during his lifetime and throughout eternity. And David understood that wonderful presence he desired is by God’s initiative as well as invitation. “How blessed is the one You choose and bring near to You to dwell in Your courts. We will be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.” Psalm 65:4 NAS.
Be assured, the Savior’s invitation is indiscriminate of your history, good or bad. His invitation is founded on His righteousness, not yours. He chooses whoever responds to His initiative. “You did not choose me, but I chose you . .” John 15:16 NIV. The Gospel is simple. God’s invitation. Your destiny. Christ’s sacrifice. Your determination. “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom 10:13 NKJV. “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in Him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15 NKJV. The final message of the Bible is, “Let the thirsty ones come – anyone who wants to. Let them come and drink the water of life without charge.” Revelation 22:17 NLT. God’s will is clear and unchanging.
God’s grace awaits your gracious response. Grace is best understood when defined as, “receiving what you could not deserve and not receiving what you did.” No wonder they describe God’s grace as, “amazing.” Paul well understood his own history and the profound grace of God given to him. “At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. So that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Read Titus 3:3-8 NIV. See Romans 5:1-2 NIV and 2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV.
What is your proper response? Thanksgiving and praise open the Heavens. Your fitting entrance into His presence is with extravagant thanksgiving for what Christ has done and exuberant praise for Who God is. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 NIV. Christ is worthy. God is righteous.
Today, I pray for you to cherish God’s presence with you more than all other desires.
Christian Communications 2017
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