“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.”- Titus 2:11-12
“Grace is the gift of feeling sure that our future, even our dying, is going to turn out more splendidly than we dare imagine.”- Lewis Smedes
In Chapter 11 (“Heaven Guaranteed), the concluding chapter of Grace, Max Lucado begins by exhorting us to maintain our trust in God through the valleys and uncertainties of life:
“Trust God’s hold on you more than your hold on God. His faithfulness does not depend on yours. His performance is not predicated on yours. His love is not contingent on your own. Your candle may flicker, but it will not go out.”
Grace, Pastor Lucado adds, fosters obedience. In the fall of 1755, sisters Barbara (age 11) and Regina (age 9) Leininger were kidnapped by Indian warriors. Before they were separated, Barbara often reminded Regina of the following song that their mother had taught them:
“Alone, yet not alone am I
Though in this solitude so drear
I feel my Savior always nigh;
He comes my weary heart to cheer
I am with Him and He with me
I therefore cannot lonely be.”
Eventually Barbara went to a refugee camp in search of Regina. Not spotting her, Barbara began singing that song. Soon Regina came running to her.
Although our adversity may have muted our song, as we hear God’s voice we will sing again.
Today’s question: How have you been intentional in growing your trust in God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of Grace
