March 31, 2009

“God is gracious — it is he who makes things right, our most compassionate God. God takes the side of the helpless; when I was at the end of my rope, he saved me.” Psalm 116:5 The Message

What is one thing you can be sure about today…?

It is waiting for you when you wake up in the morning. You may hear it whisper when you are at the end of your resources and hope. By the end of this day .. you may fear that you are all alone with nothing but yourself and your stuff to protect you. How are you going to make it on your own? A shepherd-king learned that God was his saving resource in every area of his life. He learned it fighting predators .. living on the run .. hiding his secret sin and shame .. living openly and wildly after God’s own heart. You can too! You can learn that grace is God being gracious to you when you are helpless and at the end of your rope. It is the desperate places .. despised places .. and desired places where the Lord will meet you today. Are you looking for him or still trying to work it out on your own? The Crucified-King lived among the helpless … grew daily in grace and truth … fed and healed men and women at the end of their rope … and stands guard today … all day … and all tomorrows. There is nothing that you will face today outside of His delivering reach .. deliberate care .. and decisive promise over your life. Jesus has gone before you. And now … His Spirit goes through you. It only takes a moment … to begin to let God be gracious to you … to take a step toward the helpless in your world … to look around your life and know that God is protecting you on all sides. Just a moment …

“God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121:7-8 The Message

Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to Out of Rope Saved Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One(ken@priorityone.org)