Leaning Into Grace
“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12: 9 (NKJV)
What does “resting on God’s grace” mean for me? To “rest on” means to lean on, adjoin to, or combine as one. So, if Christ’s power rests on me, then His power is now on me! Leaning into grace is what will keep you and me during the tough times and seasons of life.
What is Grace?
That seems like a simple question, and many will answer back that it is God’s unmerited favor or getting what we do not deserve.
In Ephesians 2:8 (NIV):
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
That does seem simple to understand, so why do I struggle with feeling the power that Jesus said would give my soul rest? Why is it that we find receiving God’s all-sufficient grace so difficult?
The word translated as “grace” in the New Testament comes from the Greek word” charis,” which means “favor, blessing, or kindness.” We can bestow this on others if we choose. But when the word grace is used in connection with God, it takes on a more powerful meaning.
John Piper, preacher and author, puts it this way:
“The deepest need that you and I have in weakness and adversity is not quick relief, but the well-grounded confidence that what is happening to us is part of the greatest purpose of God in the universe – the glorification of the grace and power of His Son – the grace and power that bore Him to the cross and kept Him there until the work of love was done.”
I know that Jesus has given me the strength to make it through many trials and tribulations, and I know that He will do it again, but that does not keep me from getting frustrated or feeling overwhelmed by my circumstances. Rejoicing in trials is not easy for me. I must intentionally focus on what God is doing amid them. I must continually remind myself that although my trials seem heavy and endless, they are light and momentary in relation to eternity. They are preparing for me a weight of glory that is beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:17).
When my struggles feel relentless, I am forced to trust Jesus moment by moment and breath by breath. Pain has a way of capturing my attention and causes me to focus on the grace He will pour out as I lean on Him for help.
Suffering has a unique way of putting me in God’s presence because I am crying out for Him to redeem me and give me peace.
Trusting God
We do not know what is going to happen tomorrow, and that causes us to stress. When we give up feeling like we have no control (and we do not), then we are positioned to embrace an attitude of “we are empowered by the Holy Spirit for success in our rest.” It is not up to us to direct our own course in life.
God wants to work in us, through us, and for us. It takes work to find this place of grace where we can rest on Him, totally trusting that what transpires has been allowed by our Savior.
The intimacy by which the Lord knows us and still chooses to lovingly embrace us as His children is supernatural. God’s grace is mind-blowing. Every time I ponder this truth, I am brought to my knees in humility because I serve a God whose love and grace leave me awestruck.
So, let me leave you with another verse that we may never have equated with His grace. “Hebrew 4:16 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].”
In comparison to a God who always has been and always will be, our lives are incredibly short. So, we have a choice to either frantically strive to live lives full of anxiousness and fear or to live with intentionality and purpose, knowing all circumstances and seasons have eternal significance. We can try to control our days or live as though they are ordered by our God.
My Prayer
“Jesus, when I reflect on all You did to allow me to rest in You, I am awestruck. Your abundant favor toward me has made available a kind of peace and joy that comes only from Your Holy Spirit’s power. You made it possible for me to come to the throne of grace where total trust and rest is possible by leaning on You. I know that You personally and lovingly care for me and that every circumstance in my life is governed by and filtered through Your goodness. I do not need to worry, but keep my focus on You. Amen.”
Grace by Laura Story – I know you will love this song as much as I do!
I am praising the Lord because today, Thursday, we finally heard from the doctor who did the biopsy on my husband, Ricky, that he does not see cancer in his bile duct at this time! Thank you to all of you who have been praying for him! Also, my brother, Phillip, got an all-clear on his bladder cancer! Thank you, Jesus!
Rebekah Marsh
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#rebekahmarshblogs