Don't Forfeit God's Grace

A minister's only child was at the point of death. The doctor informed him and his wife there was no hope their son would live. Their hearts rebelled against God and in their anguish cried out that God was unkind.

Then the Holy Spirit reminded them that God is love and gave them grace to accept whatever God allowed. The father said, "We must willingly give our child to God." So kneeling at the bedside, they humbly gave back to God the child He had loaned them for a short time.

In a fresh way, the fragrance of Christ came into their lives. Every person in their congregation realized a wonderful glory in this fully surrendered couple.

Believing in the goodness of God transforms us in crisis even if we are not delivered. If in His tender compassion, infinite wisdom, and perfect love God sees that it is wise and good for us to suffer loss, we can accept His grace or we can refuse it. If we accept it, we, like Moses, may not know our faces (and our lives) are shining, but others will know and be blessed.

Jonah speaks of those who "forfeit the grace that could be theirs" (Jonah 3:8). Jesus "carried our sorrows" (Isaiah 53:4). He experienced every one of our sorrows so we would not have to bear them. He longs to offer us comfort and grace to overcome our temptations to doubt His goodness.

Jesus, help me to accept the grace You freely offer and then to allow You to carry my sorrows.

"They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy; the Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over his works" (Psalm 145:7, 8).