There’s a Grace for That

There's a Grace for That

Apple makes us lots of promises.

Just take a bite. Whatever you need, there’s an app for that.

  • Want directions? There’s the Maps app.
  • Store your coupons? There’s the Wallet app.
  • A Bible reading plan? There’s the YouVersion app.
  • Need the forecast? There’s The Weather Channel app.

The fruit begs to gratify.

But we know better. Don’t we?

Apple can’t reach our deepest appetites. For satisfying relationships. For a life of significance. For a mission more meaningful than me.

Whatever we really need—direction, understanding, peace, joy—it’s God who has a grace for that. He alone is able to fully satisfy (2 Corinthians 9:8).

  • Need help with a problem child? There’s a grace for that.
  • Stuck in an unsatisfying job? There’s a grace for that.
  • Can’t break an addictive habit? There’s a grace for that.
  • Too much conflict with your partner? There’s a grace for that, too.

Whatever it, God has the power to either change the circumstance or change the other person or change us (Hebrews 4:16). That is his grace.

A year ago, could you have imagined the exact journey you are traveling this year? Would you have been overwhelmed if you’d foreseen each roadblock? Would it have been possible to stockpile every resource in advance that you were going to need?

Yet each step of our way, often only one step at a time, God has left us a gift—a gift of his grace—at the right place, in the right time, through the right person.

Grace is what he promises.
Grace is what we need.
Grace is what he gives.

“From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”
John 1:16

* * *

What unexpected gift of grace have you already received this year? Please share in the comments.

revised from the archives

20 thoughts on “There’s a Grace for That

  1. bill (cycleguy)

    As far as I am concerned Lisa my life is a gift of God’s grace. Each day. Each waking moment. Each bike ride. Each hug. Each kiss (from my wife) LOL. Each smile. Life is an adventure and i want to enjoy the ride. God has given it to me. That is grace.

  2. Barbara Harper

    I love how you put this! Some years ago I was going through a particularly trying time. 2 Corinthians 9:8 especially helped: “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Sometimes I would repeat the “alls” at peak times of need or panic: “All grace. All sufficiency. All things.” The KJV, which I used at the time, says “always” instead of “at all times,” and for some reason it didn’t click to add that, too, but it would have been good to do so.

  3. Trudy

    There’s a grace for that! I love this, Lisa. Thank you for encouraging my heart. No one but God can fill us.

    Before I had a chance to comment with your last post, I see this one in my inbox. 🙂 I just want to say I always enjoy those monthly posts. I love seeing how your granddaughter is growing! Love and hugs to you!

  4. Ashley Davis

    I love the part about a year ago and the journey we would be taking this year. What a year it has been! Praise God for His grace. I’m thankful that He only reveals a bit at a time, even though sometimes I want to know more. I can look back and see that I don’t need to know more than what He reveals, and just rest in the grace He gives me each day.

  5. Jean Wise

    well said. Grace surprised me with new opportunities this year. I was just rereading my journal from last January and I had no idea all the blessings the Lord was ready to give me. God is good!

  6. Jana

    This is such wonderful Truth! I can honestly say that it is by God’s grace alone that I am still here, that my family is all still here and together, that we can provide for the needs of our children… the list goes on.

    One very tangible grace I received from the Lord this year was the opportunity to work a casual second job FROM HOME during a very challenging time financially. I would never have imagined I’d need it, nor that I’d be hired for it.

  7. Pam

    The grace this year was the Lord opening doors to publish my first book when a year ago it appeared all the doors were slammed shut. There was grace and peace for that a year ago despite two and a half years of work being put on the shelf to wait. But then one door and then another opened this year and God brought the project I sensed He led me to write in 2015 into its completion.

  8. Betsy de Cruz

    There is definitely no way I could have imagined last year the road I am traveling now. But as you say, “there is a grace for it.” One grace to me has been God’s voice speaking encouragement and hope through His Word. Each day.

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