“Cry for help and you’ll find it’s grace and more grace. The moment he hears, he’ll answer.”- Isaiah 30:19
(The Message) “[God] never gives a thorn without this added grace, He takes the thorn to pin aside the veil which hides His face.”- Martha Snell Nicholson
Chapter 8 (“Fear Dethroned”) of Grace begins with the story of Dr. Kyle Sheets, who spent several weeks a year working in mission hospitals in developing countries. On one such trip to Zimbabwe, he sustained a cut on his hand during surgery, exposing him to the AIDS virus. His daughter encouraged him to take the antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV infection. Within hours he was suffering the life-threatening side effects and immediately was flown to the US, ICU-level sick. On the plane with him- 100 physicians from Mexico!
Just as God met Dr. Sheet’s need with grace, Max notes, he’ll meet ours as well. We may be fearful and weak, but we’re not alone. Pastor Lucado defines God’s sustaining grace, spoken of by St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“Sustaining grace meets us at our point of need and equips us with courage, wisdom, and strength. . . . Sustaining grace promises not the absence of struggle but the presence of God.”
While anxiety-producing moments or events are certain to come, the don’t control our personal world. Pastor Lucado exhorts us to let God’s grace dethrone our fears. God is in control!
Today’s question (from Max): How has the faith of someone else spurred you to trust God in difficult times? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: Cascading grace”
New addition to Crown Jewels: “Not-so-great expectations”
