“Grace in all its forms…” (1 Pet. 4:10). “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given” (John 1:16).
Lord Jesus, coming to know you was never by our muscle, merit, or our anything. The same is true for having your ongoing favor, smile, and provision. The Gospel put an end to all earning—not all effort—but it certainly blew up any notion of a “blessing-earning” relationship with you. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow… our relationship with you is all by grace—by your doing, and our receiving. You don’t just give us “grace for the moment,” but also grace for every situation.
Saving Grace: We only brought our great need for salvation, and you provided 1000 greater provision. For you are our “righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” (1Cor. 1:30).
Sane-ing Grace: Every day is a return to Gospel-sanity—remembering who you are, Jesus, and who we are in union with you. Making our thoughts captive to you, we regain the perspective of eternity, realize afresh our place in your Story, and reconnect with the hope of heaven.
Sustaining Grace: Not just grace to “get by,” but the resources we need to live and love to your glory—not merely holding on, but being held.
Sanctifying Grace: Jesus, our only hope of becoming like you is utter dependence on your work in us. It’s often a painful process because you are so lovely and loving, and we are so unlike you. But the process is free to us, and will be completed (Phil.1:6).
Sufficient Grace: And for those episodic crises, the out-of-nowhere tragedies—seasons of despair and stretches of pain, you give us sufficient grace—not an anesthetic, but the freedom to lament, trust, suffer to your glory, and love our fellow sufferers. Jesus, thank you… really, thank you. So Very Amen.
