“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
“The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
John 14:21
This may come off as a random selection of verses to you, but a certain song has caused me to revisit thinking on God’s grace today.
It seems often in circles and teachings of faith, certain topics almost come across as opposing or separate, such as speaking on the abundance of God’s grace, and the spiritual gut punch that is our calling to be more like Him. You don’t often hear those spoken of as one complete thought or teaching.
“Jireh”, a collaborative song by Maverick City Music and Elevation Worship, is a beautiful and powerful worship song, and as I kept listening to it, some of the lyrics kept hitting me … bringing me to what felt like some revelations in my heart:
“I’ll never be more loved than I am right now. (I) Wasn’t holding You up, so there’s nothing I can do to let You down.”
Initially, I raised an eyebrow at this. Wait … God has been disappointed in me plenty of times!
I kept listening …
“You would cross an ocean so I wouldn’t drown. You’ve never been closer than you are right now”
I remember a night sitting in my dorm room … probably around the age of 22. I had yet again sunken to a new low in my sin. How could I have grown up in the church … in the faith for years, and sit here as a young adult feeling so far away from Him? I was disgusted with myself, and all I could do was literally cry out for Him with very few words.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”
Romans 8:26
Amazingly, very soon in that moment I felt His presence … a reminder straight from the heart of my Creator that He hadn’t left me. His grace was abundant, even in that dark hour.
“I don’t wanna forget how I feel right now. On the mountaintop, I can see so clear what it’s all about. So, stay by my side when the sun goes down. Don’t wanna forget how I feel right now.”
Here is where it all starts to connect more for me. That feeling when we unmistakably sense how close we are … how present He is … how much grace He has given us … why do we, in so many moments of life, forget this?!
We forget because we so often make the mistake of equating our feelings and circumstances with God’s presence. We forget so often because we don’t relate our obedience, or often the lack of it, with how present we are with Him.
We can’t preach of the abundance of His grace, staking our claim in all that He has promised us, and turn around and live a life of disobedience. Although He is always steadfast in who He is, our intimacy and communion with Him will always be connected (or disconnected) in conjunction with our choice and action to live for Him!
The message of God’s grace comes with a high calling! Our worship of Him must be married with acts of obedience!
“I’m already loved
I’m already chosen.
I know who I am.
I know what You’ve spoken.
I’m already loved.
More than I could imagine, and that is enough!”
Enough! He and all that He has spoken over us is enough! That isn’t a statement of finality that absolves us from anything, but is the ultimate encouragement and commandment to daily pick up our cross and follow Him!
Be assured: “How much more does He love you?
It’s more than you ask, think or imagine.
According to His power working in us, It’s more than enough!”
What more do we need to know in order to choose and live out a life that is worthy of the grace He continues to pour out on us?
He is enough! And if in your hearts of hearts you are not sure of this, then I will suggest that you do not know Him.
In those moments of doubt, we must shed our feelings and return to the anchor of truth: that He loves us so much, “And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory.” Romans 9:23
There’s nothing better than You, Jireh, our Provider! Through our worship and devotion in praise, prayer, and song, may we then live accordingly in obedience!