Approaching God
As you enter the presence of the Holy God become aware of the presence of the Lord who was, and is, and is to come. Breathe in the following refrain:
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place, throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:1-2)
Listening to God
So often we have an agenda for our lives we think God should follow. When life doesn’t go as we think it should and God seems to have a different plan than we do, feelings of entitlement, frustration, and anxiety cloud our hearts and minds. God reminds us in all circumstances: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Read these words several times slowly. Listen to what God is saying to you through these words today.
Talking to God
God’s power is made perfect in us through the grace at the cross. Remember that we did nothing, nor can we ever do anything to earn these gifts. Remember the sacrifice and the suffering Jesus experienced so that God’s true power in the resurrection might be revealed. Spend some time in praise and thanksgiving to God for the gifts of grace, reconciliation, and redemption.
Responding to God
Our pride often stands in the way of truly accepting God’s grace in our lives. Ask God to reveal your walls of pride that hide the true power and love God desires in your life. Confess this pride. With humility, ask God to help you let go of this pride and find contentment in the Lord, whatever the circumstances.
Surrendering to God
“Lord God, salvation comes through your grace alone. Nothing I can do will make me right before you. Only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ at the cross could do that. Lord, may your grace shatter the walls of pride in my life that I want to hide behind. Lord, when I am weak, make me strong in you.”
By Laurie Zueverink
A HISTORICAL SIDEBAR
The Reformers taught that there is nothing we can do to earn God’s grace. His grace is his unmerited favor and so it is by God’s grace alone that we are saved. As the Heidelberg Catechism states, “God, without any merit of my own, out of mere grace, imputes [credits] to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ.” Salvation is not deserved and is not earned. The Reformers believed they were echoing the Bible’s teachings, especially Paul’s (Eph 2:8–9).
