” ‘When does it (the ocean waves and roar) turn off?’ . . . We ask the same about God’s grace. Surely it will dry up and stop flowing, right? Wrong. Surely we will exhaust his goodness, won’t we? Never. We will, at some point, write too many checks on his mercy and love, correct? Incorrect.”- Max Lucado
“He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, not pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is his love to those who fear him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, he has separated us from our sins.”- Psalm 103:10-12 (MSG).
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 9 of Never Alone with a charming story about Rosie, his first grandchild. At the age of three-and-a-half, Rosie saw the ocean for the first time. She watched and listened to the waves and the roar of the water. Finally, she asked, “When does it turn off?”
Furthermore, Pastor Lucado observes, the Greek word tetelestai carries overtones of a business term. People used it to signify ‘paid in full’ on debts like levies or tributes. Above all, Max stresses, Christ’s word on the cross declares a finalized transaction. In addition, Christ then bowed his head and died. Because Christ lowered His head, He showed He was sovereign, even in death. His head didn’t fall forward or slump.
Recently Max placed an order in the drive-through of a Starbucks. As he pulled up to the window to pay, the attendant waved away his cash. The folks in the car ahead recognized Max from their church and wanted to pay for his coffee.
Most significantly, Max underscores, he did not refuse the gifts. say he needed no assistance, or dismiss the act of grace. Instead, he simply and gratefully received it. In conclusion, Max exhorts:
“I hope you will do the same. Receive this, the great miracle of mercy. Let the grace of God flow over you like a cleansing cascade, flushing out all dregs of guilt and shame. Nothing separates you from God.”
Today’s question: When do you feel that God’s grace will dry up and stop flowing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The Society of Seekers – permissible doubts”
