Tuesday, January 25, 2011

How long? For All Eternity

“”Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God’s grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God’s grace.” ~ by Jerry Bridges ~

In chapter 13 of one of David’s Psalms we read about how David was struggling with wondering how long God was going to wait before coming to his rescue. He had gotten to the point where he thought for sure God had forgotten him forever. He wanted to know just how long God was going to hide His face from him.

At one point or another we’ve probably all been in the same position as David. A position of wondering how long was God going to hide from us. Years ago when times were tough, emotions high, and there didn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel I asked God that very question, “How long Lord? Are you going to forget me forever?” Every time I asked He bounced me back to stand next to Paul in 2 Cor 12 to tell us both, “My grace is sufficient.”

As hard as it is to understand how God’s grace could be sufficient when things are going bad we have to take Him at His word. That is what trust and faith is all about. His grace is sufficient for the very reason Jerry Bridges gave, “Our worst days are never so bad we are beyond God’s reach. Our best days never so good we are beyond the need of God’s grace.” In other words, God’s grace is sufficient.

One of Satan’s biggest lies and worse tricks is getting us to believe this is not true. That God has forgotten us, that we are stranded in situations, emotions, and circumstances to tough to bear. Oh how not true that is. God is with us and we need to believe that and live what we believe. We must never get so down on ourselves that we think we are beyond His reach. We must never get so haughty that we don’t think we need His grace; we can do it on our own.

We can’t do it on our own. We try, we attempt, we may even succeed a little but in the end the truth still stands we need God’s grace for the final victory lap into Heaven. How long? As long as it takes should be our answer. As long as it takes to get us from where we are to where we need to be in God.

In my journal I’m writing about my journey with cancer I said it’s easy to pinpoint the beginning of a journey but we never can predict the end. I never would have known my journey with epilepsy was going to last twelve years. I don’t know how long my journey with cancer will be. All I need to know is God’s grace is sufficient to take me the full length of the adventure.

The question of how long are we going to struggle with things is up to us and our attitude. Its also up to our faith and trust in the One who is more than sufficient to see us through. God’s face is not hidden nor His grace too short. 



How long? Shoot for eternity, the time frame we need to be focusing on, the length of God’s grace, and the length of His love.

Our host today is Jennifer at Scraps & Snippets. It’s a must that you get on over there and join in to see and share with others on today’s quote.

5 comments:

Marsha Young said...

Now THERE'S a good reminder - shoot for eternity - that's the time frame we need to be focusing on.

My nephew is battling cancer right now - fourth round of chemo this week. While I pray for you both, I want to stay focused on eternity.
God bless and strengthen you for your continued journey. Marsha

Denise J. Hughes said...

"...it’s easy to pinpoint the beginning of a journey but we never can predict the end."

Focusing on eternity is the best advice ever. Thanks for this beautiful post.

Praying for you.

DJ

Tami said...

I love this: We must never get so down on ourselves that we think we are beyond His reach. We must never get so haughty that we don’t think we need His grace; we can do it on our own.

Nicely put.

Jennifer said...

So true about Satan's deception in this area. And I love this..." All I need to know is God’s grace is sufficient to take me the full length of the adventure." It is...always! Thanks so much for sharing this week...praying for you...

Miriam Pauline said...

Love the image of shooting for eternity. Thanks for the reminder. Still praying as you face this journey. So thankful that you know that you do not face it alone.