Grace for the Race

The Lord examines the righteous. (Psalm 11:5)

The Lord examines us not because He wants to hurt us, but because He loves us. Because we are precious in His sight, He will refine us in His fires of affliction so that we come out more-pure than when we went in. And this is true for all God’s children. None escape His examination.

It is out of a heart of eternal love that our God tries and tests us. There is no other way for the removal of the self than by the examinations of our Savior. If Jesus did not love you, He would not examine you and if we knew just how much He loved us, we would cry out like David for His continual examinations.

Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Psalm 26:2

Remember, the examinations we are taken through by our Lord are not so He can gain a deeper understanding of our commitment to Him. Rather, it is that we would grow in the knowledge of what our heart beats for and how deep our love is for Him. God knew Abraham’s heart when He asked him to sacrifice Isaac. Abraham did not know his heart of love for God until he was examined. God proved to Abraham that he was indeed to be known for all eternity as the father of the faith (Romans 4:16).

Remember, the examinations we go through are the proving grounds of our faith. Only when we come out the other side of suffering and the furnace of affliction, do we know how real our faith truly is. We need look no further than the story of Job and how God allowed Satan to examine him through unimaginable trials. And what was the result? Job never rejected God’s right to examine him and trusted God throughout every trial even when he could not trace Him in them.

Know this – whatever depth of faith you have today is a result of examinations you have been given by God in the past. If you have been seeking worldly ease, examinations must come. Growth does not happen when we are secure within our zones of comfort. Rather, when God forces us into places where we are uncomfortable, He is conforming us more and more into the image of His beloved Son. And that is the purpose for every examination we encounter.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar. (Mark 4:39)

When Jesus prayed His high priestly prayer for His people, He did not pray that we would be taken out of this world, but rather, that we would be protected from the evil one. We must learn this truth today, what Jesus did not pray for us, we must never pray for ourselves.

It is wrong to cry “woe is me” and wish to be received into glory. We have been left here to carry on God’s work in this world just as our Lord did when He walked the streets of Palestine. We are in this world but not of this world and we are to be impacting this world for the glory of our God. Jesus has sent us into this world to be salt and light. We are to do everything within our power to preserve what good there is in the world around us and to shine His light on every dark place.

Where would you expect to find the doctor except where you would find the sick in need of his care?  Where would you expect to find the soldier expect where you would find the battle raging on? So too with the saints of God. We are to be found wherever Jesus is needed and that beloved, is EVERYWHERE on this side of the grave. To be sure, we dwell in Meshek and live among the tents of Kedar, for our world is filled with the powers of darkness and the forces of evil at every turn. But this is the very reason that our Savior has asked not to take us out, but rather to strengthen us within.

Remember, God has not left us to expand His kingdom in this world in our own strength. We have been given the power of the Holy Spirit to do all He has called us to do and when we are doing it, we are bringing glory to God and eternal good to all those we come in contact with. So, if you find yourself weary in your witness, remember it is wrong to woe when you know your Savior has commanded you to go! Let these words from Paul propel you forward in your ministry of service to God.

I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:23-24

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

From sleeping in the boat to saving the entire fleet of boats, our Lord Jesus is the Almighty Admiral who protects all those who are His. Make no mistake, it is wise to sail with our Savior because when the storm winds begin to blow and the waves of challenge begin to wash over us, He will direct us toward the safety of the harbor.

Now don’t miss this. When the disciples got into the boat with Jesus, and all the other boats followed along, they were not safe from the storm. The storm came up even with Jesus by their side. But they were safe IN the storm, as are all the saints of God. Jesus by our side does not keep us from going into storms, but rather, it gets us to the other side of it. The promise with Jesus is not smooth sailing, but sure arrival at our intended destination.

When the storms swept over that Galilean lake, the disciples were convinced that shipwreck was soon to follow. Let that be a lesson to you today. When all hope is lost in the natural, we must shift our focus to the supernatural, because we have Jesus as our Almighty Admiral who has promised to get us to the other side of every storm we face. Not a single boat in the convoy of the disciples suffered shipwreck that night. Jesus was all they needed for safe passage and He is all we need too.

So, let me close today’s word of encouragement with this profound biblical truth the disciples and their friends learned that night when a furious squall nearly swamped their boats, that can strengthen you in any storm you are facing:

You will never know Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have!

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Hannah prayed for a child and the Lord answered her prayer. She named him Samuel and dedicated him to the Lord. He was an answer to her prayer and she delighted in delivering her precious child back to the One who had given him to her. For every saint of God, we too have our “Samuel” – “God heard” and answered our prayer. And when our answer is as precious to us as Samuel was to his mother Hannah, we will dedicate it back to the One who has given it to us.

Our God blesses simply because He is a God of blessing. But oh how sweet are the blessings received after earnest supplication and the continual cries of the heart. Like Hannah, we find ourselves overwhelmed with thanksgiving because of our God’s faithfulness to answer the petitions of His people. Here is the question that needs to be answered by every child of God, “What “Samuel’s” has God delivered into my hands through the doorway of prayer? Whatever they may be, let us dedicate them to the Lord just as Hannah dedicated her “Samuel” for God’s glory and the good of others.

The years as a pastor have taught me that the answer to our prayers are to be consecrated to our Christ. What we have received from heaven must be released back to heaven for the glory of the One who has given it to us. All that our God delivers to us must be dedicated back to Him. How much more must we dedicate those things which we cried day and night to receive from His holy hand of mercy?

So, let this day be marked by unceasing prayer and an unwavering promise that when your answer comes, you will consecrate it for the expansion of God’s kingdom, having given it the name “Samuel” because you asked of God and He heard and answered your prayer.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. (Jeremiah 32:41)

What a word of encouragement we have before us today. Our Redeemer rejoices over us and delights in doing good to us with all His heart and soul. To be sure, we find no reason in ourselves that this would be true in all of our imperfections. Yet, our Redeemer rejoices to meet us in our deepest place of need.

In the beginning, our Redeemer rejoiced over all that He had made in the heavens and in the earth, and He declared with infinite wisdom that it was not just “good” but “very good.” And of all that He made, He made only mankind in His image. Not even the angels know of this blessed gift from God. They are to be included in the “very good,” but not to be included in the very image of God.

Did you know that when the angels rebelled and fell from heaven, followed by the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, it was not the angels that God came after with His redeeming love? The writer of Hebrews puts it this way.

For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abram’s descendants. Hebrews 2:16

Let that truth encourage you today. Let that truth lift you up above any waves of challenge that are coming up against you. Let that truth set you free to rejoice in your Redeemer because He is continually rejoicing in doing you good. Now, the good you might be expecting and the good you might be getting from His hand might be two different things. But is your Redeemer not in the best position to know what is best for you and how best to deliver it? I cannot find in sacred Scripture where our Redeemer rejoices in the sun, moon, or the stars. But time and time again, we read how God rejoices over those who bear His image.

I pray our passage today and these words from the prophet Zephaniah act as bookends to strengthen your belief in just how loved you are and how much your Redeemer rejoices over you.

The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)

The prophet Elisha was outnumbered in Dothan by an army with horses and chariots sent by the king of Aram. They surrounded the city, and Elisha’s servant was gripped with fear. But the prophet could see what his servant could not see and spoke today’s words of comfort that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Surrounding those who surrounded the prophet and his servant were horses and chariots of fire sent by the Most High God. What was true for the prophet Elisha back then is true for the people of God today.

The adversaries of God’s people are many and mighty – the world, the flesh, and the devil. But God’s answer to all his adversaries are mightier still. No matter how many unholy horses and corrupt chariots line up against us today to keep us from being all God is calling us to be, they are outnumbered by Omnipotence because our Master always has the majority. You are protected on all sides and will not be overcome by your opposition because “those who are with you are more than those who are with them.”

Are the forces of fear coming up against you? Are the armies of anxiety attacking from all sides? Are the powers of the prince of darkness pursuing you? Fear not! Look with the eye of faith today and you will see past whatever adversary it is you are facing to the Almighty who stands at the ready to give you victory. Remember, not only is it true that those who are with you are more than those who are with your enemies, but so much greater is the power at work within you than any power that comes up against you.

To be sure, the fighting will be fierce and the battle will be brutal, but the outcome will never be in question because the One who fights for you fights with a force that simply cannot be overcome. Remember, the Master and you always make the majority.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. (Psalm 111:5)

What a word of comfort we have before us today. Our Redeemer remembers all of His promises to us even when we provoke Him to want to forget! Here is what we all need to remember: it is His faithfulness to us . . . not our faithfulness to Him that causes Him to remember all of His promises.

Our Redeemer remembers His promises to us and never regrets making them. He knows we are but dust and drift from time to time from our duties and devotions. Yet, He has promised to never forget or forsake us. He remembers to provide for us our daily bread. He remembers to meet us in our place of deepest need. He remembers to forgive us again and again. And He remembers to love us with an everlasting love. When God makes a promise, we can count on it because no weapon formed can cause our faithful Redeemer to let a single Word fall to the ground.

So, regardless of where this finds you today, remember your Redeemer who remembers every promise He has made to you. Do you have a need in your personal life – take it to your Redeemer who remembers. Do you have a need in your professional life – take it to your Redeemer who remembers. When you fear God, you have nothing else to fear for He has promised to meet all of your needs in the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

One final word. Your Redeemer who remembers His promises to you will accomplish what He has promised but it often will not be in the way we expect. Our Redeemer knows the best way to fulfill His promises to us and He will always do for us what is best. Oh, the years have taught me as a pastor that when God does not meet our expectations, it’s because He is planning on exceeding them. Let that truth set you free.  

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

Inasmuch as we simply cannot imagine how much higher the heavens are than the earth, we cannot imagine how much higher God’s thoughts toward us are than our thoughts toward Him. Beloved, let the truth of this verse comfort you today, not only are God’s thoughts higher than your thoughts, but also His plans, His purposes, His wisdom and His ways. Because they are God’s thoughts, they are better than our thoughts and working toward our good.

Think about it this way. God’s plans and purposes for your life are beyond what you could ever imagined them to be for yourself. They will take you to places you have never dreamed you could go because they come from the One who is in control of all things. They will often surprise you along the way and meet you in your deepest place of need. God can do this because He is God and delights in working all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Does this describe you today? Do you love your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength . . . as much as it is within your power to do so? Remember this, we love God but His love is higher love and able to lift us above all the waves of challenge that confront us each day. Nothing can stand in the way of the will of God and that includes His will for your life. His ways are higher. His thoughts are higher. His love is higher. Why? Because He is God and He has a higher love for all those who are His and that includes you.

Let that truth set you free today to live out His perfect plan and purpose for your imperfect life, even when what you are currently experiencing you cannot fully understand. Isaiah tells us that we can trust our God even when we cannot trace Him because we know that we are the object of HIS HIGHER LOVE!

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. (Joshua 1:5)

To be sure, these words were said by God to Joshua who was being installed as the leader of the people Israel, for the torch had been passed from Moses to him. Moses had died and it was now time for Joshua to assume command and lead God people across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. But, make no mistake, these words are to be applied to every believer in every age, and facing every kind of circumstance. How do we know this?

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

What God promised Joshua, He promised to all of His children. Perhaps we are not conquering new lands to expand the cause of God’s kingdom, but life is every bit as filled with “warfare” today for us as it was back then for Joshua. Who reading this cannot testify to the truth of the battle that rages against the world, the flesh, and the devil? We have been promised times of trials, troubles, and tribulations. But we have also been promised One who would walk with us every step of the way. If it is strength you need, God will give you strength. If it is wisdom you need, God will give you wisdom. If it is patience you need, God will give you patience. Whatever you need, God has promised to meet and exceed your needs in the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.

Is this not a word of great encouragement to you today? You are not alone in the struggles you are facing. You are not without the help you need to get through the waves of challenge that are ready to wash over you. Now you may have experienced a close friend or even a family member who has left your side to fight your battles alone. But not your God. He has promised to be by your side through both thick and thin, good and bad, sunshine and rain. Know this – you mean as much to God as did Moses and Joshua. You are a child of the Most High God and you have been purchased by the blood of His beloved Son. God is faithful and will keep His promise to never leave nor forsake you.

One final word of encouragement. Would this not be a great time to consider your response to this cosmic comfort is these words – As you my Lord will never leave nor forsake me – I will never leave never forsake You. Remember, since God cannot fail you, you faith cannot fail him, and when you do fall short of your hearts desire to please Him, know that you are completely loved and fully forgiven.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!

Tell me, you whom I love . . . (Song of Songs 1:7)

Notice the absence of any possible doubt in Solomon’s statement that we read in today’s word of encouragement. He does not say, “Tell me, you whom I think I love.” He does not say, “Tell me, you whom I hope I love.” He does not say, “Tell me, you whom I want to love.” No, no, a thousand times no. He knows that He loves His God beyond the shadow of any doubt and makes it clear for all the world to read.

I find it quite striking that the early saints of God never wavered between two understandings when it came to their relationship with God. We do not come across a plethora of “ifs” and “buts” and “hope fors”. Perhaps the best example in all of sacred Scripture where you might expect to find an if, but, or hope for, here instead is what we find:

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. Job 19:25

This statement, you might remember, comes from a man who had lost his wealth, his health, and all of his 10 children. If anyone would have cause to question the Almighty it would be Job. But he did not. He knew that his redeemer lived and could trust God even when he could not trace Him in his life. We know from the biblical account what was happening to Job, but Job did not. And when his three friends showed up, after mourning with Job for a week, they became miserable comforters by accusing Job of sin in his life as the cause of all his calamity. Through it all, Job was steadfast in knowing whom he loved.

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Our love to Him is a result of His love to us, worked in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit. But once we have been given this supernatural love, it is ours to give back to Him. True love loves when the sky is blue and the clouds are fleecy and the sun is brightly shining. Ture love also loves when the storm winds blow and the waves of challenge wash over us. Is He not altogether lovely and worthy of our love regardless of the circumstances we are facing in this life?

Remember, it was not the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It was His love for us that would not let Him save Himself. His love bore the nine-inch nails, the crown of thorns, and that cruel cross of crucifixion. Tell me now, can you not say with Job that regardless of what you are currently facing, “I know my redeemer lives!” And can you not say along with Solomon, “You whom I love.” May this be the confession of our lives.

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!