Theme: THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF HIS GRACE
DAY 25, Read James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5-6
HE GIVES MORE GRACE
Key Text: “But He gives more grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
God does not give the blessing of grace to us for nothing or to be kept dormant without use. The blessings of grace if well used bring further blessings of grace, but if not wisely used, it is withdrawn. Like Jesus taught in the concluding verses of the Parable of Talents, grace that is not used is withdrawn and given to others. “For everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away” (Mathew 25:29).
The demands of the ministry could be so tasking and overwhelming. It makes us to be constantly dependent on God for renewed grace. This means that we are always asking God to replenish our vision, strength and anointing. As Louis Cassels once said, “If God wants to do something, he will make it possible for you to do it, and the grace he provides comes only with the task and cannot be stockpiled before hand. We are dependent on him from hour to hour. The greater our awareness of this fact, the less likely we are to faint or fail in crises.”
We can grow in grace if we desire and ask for it. God gives more grace to those who have need for it. To grow in grace, we must have a desire for the knowledge of God. Peter enjoins us thus, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever.”
The condition for receiving more grace is humility. James taught that, “But He gives more grace to the humble” (James.4:6). God’s grace is inexhaustible (John.1:16,17). He is ever willing to grant grace and glory to the humble (Psalm 84:11).
All those who came to Jesus in humility obtained the blessings of grace. The woman of Canaan had her daughter healed (Matthew 15:21-28). The woman caught in adultery obtained forgiveness (John 8:1-9). The Centurion who came pleading for the healing of his servant got his petition granted (Matthew 8:5-13). And many others.
To receive more grace, we have to embrace the giver more than the blessings. Often we make the mistake of desiring a blessing more than the giver of the blessing. In what areas have you received grace from God? Stick to it and use it very well if you want to grow in grace, and if you want to succeed. Is it in evangelism, missions, pastoral, writing, singing, etc? Use it very well (Romans 12:6-8).
PRAYER: Father, I need more grace for the tasks I have not been able to fulfill.
