We may be coming, then, to the throne of grace, that we may be obtaining mercy and finding grace for opportune help
To the Hebrews 4: 16, Concordant New Testament
I have a friend who will tell the story of when he made that decision to give his heart to Jesus. After a few serious health challenges, how he one day realized that it was the Father who had restored him to health. How, after being shot at while out driving one day, the responding officer told him in all seriousness that the Lord had been looking out for him that day. Many people have taken to referring to situations such as this as a "God thing." They stop short of giving the glory to the Father for His provision. Not so for my friend. For he knows fully well why his own life has been spared more than a few times. It has more to do with the love and grace of the Father than being simply a God thing. A God thing is a way for those on the fence about Jesus to explain the Lords intervention in our lives. I've known people who have prayed for the Lords help in their lives, only to be amazed when He actually shows up. Well, what were you expecting? It's funny, but you'll never see the phrase "God thing" written in the scriptures. You will, however, find references to Gods help in our time of need {To the Hebrews 4:16}. The apostle Paul goes so far as to proclaim that the Father will "Supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus" {Paul to the Philippians 4:19}. Notice that the apostle is careful to note that the Father will supply every NEED. Indeed, there is a difference between what we desire and what it is which we need. That does not mean that we cannot pray to the Father for the desires of our heart, and many believers often do just that. But there is a blurred line between what we see as a need and that of a desire. Bu that is a topic for another day. I would say that it takes a strong ounce of trust and faith to know that God will do for us as He has promised. Is it truly a God thing, or simply the Father delivering upon His promise? I would say that the latter is true. But we cannot delve into this without first knowing the truth of our life in Christ Jesus. It is Jesus Himself Who has proclaimed that we live in union with He and the Father {Johns Account 14:20}. The truth is, that the Father will indeed speak His desires for us upon our hearts. To live in union with God is to understand that our life is in Him, not separate from Him.
And he has protested to me, "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected." With greatest relish, then, will I rather be glorying in my infirmities, that the power of Christ shall be tabernacling over me. Wherefore I delight in infirmities, in outrages, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christs sake, for, whenever I may be weak, then I am powerful
Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12: 9-10, Concordant New Testament
Paul was no stranger to adversity. For he endured much for following and speaking of the evangel of Christ. I find it interesting that when Paul prayed three times for God to remove that splinter in his flesh which Satan used to buffet him, he received an interesting response in return. I firmly believe that Paul was expecting to be delivered from that which ailed him. After all, he had made his request known to God for just that {Paul to the Philippians 4: 6-7}. The Lords response to Paul? "Sufficient for you is My grace, for My power in infirmity is being perfected" {Paul to the Corinthians (2) 12:9}. Not surprisingly, I believe that far too many Christians these days would view such a response from God to their requests as unanswered prayer. How can it be a God thing if we didn't get what we want? Again, I believe that many of those who refer to the Lord working in the lives of His creation as a God thing do not share that relationship with Him. Legendary wrestler Terry "Hulk" Hogan once described his life as "Knowing of Jesus but not truly knowing who He was." Sadly, that's the situation many believers find themselves in. They react to the Fathers love and grace for His children not with praise and glory, but brush it off as being simply a God thing. Don't get me wrong, I give them credit for realizing that God is involved in their situation. But our life in Him is not so much a God thing, but a relationship with Him.
~Scott~
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