Grace to Praise

Grateful for the Lord's faithfulness. And His nearness, always. But especially poignant in the midst of griefs, in the midst of trials of faith.

Too many other things draw attention and focus when everything in life seems to be going smoothly. Comfort holds sway, ease sets in, and suddenly the spiritual equivalent of spending time staring at walls seems somehow satisfying rather than ardently pursuing the joy of Christ's presence and the marvel of His Word.

I continue asking Him to help me to be long-suffering, as He is, though. Because ordinarily in grief, after so many hours of pain there comes a point where I begin to cry out against it and seek any and all mindless distraction as a means of "coping." Rather than to bear in silence with pain, ever with the Lord--remembering who He is and what He has done and continuing to bring before Him the matters of heartache and utmost concern.

Fasting helps. As a requirement of dependence upon Him is entailed--turning to Him with all within, denying even the utmost needs of the flesh for the sake of more ardently crying out to Him, wholly. But this isn't as a self-castigation. This isn't a penance. No. But a crying out before the Lord of abject and utter need of Him in the midst of devastation--acknowledging there is no hope nor help apart from Him. Not as a means of testing Him, either, then--not to any extremes as would conceivably risk death. But wholeheartedly as a declaration of the insubstantial nature of food in contrast to utter requirement of Manna from on high...which is to say, the requirement of Christ, Himself: Any less than Him would be not enough.

He, alone, is the Word, our Life. In His presence is fullness of joy.

In the midst of all this, still seeking to honor Him and others regardless of all the weirdness. And He's even allotted a glimpse of grace, and grace again: Solace upon solace, in the midst of weariness--that no matter whether circumstances would turn to total opposition, as has been the case at times (unexpectedly, completely unexpectedly)...then, given any knowledge of hope that matters need not be as such...

...and may not be as such...

...that there is grace in all this toward me, too?...is reminded. Such mercy.

So, still--whatever comes or goes.

However things proceed.

The cry of my heart to Him remains a cry for mercy upon us all.

Though especial cry is for mercy unto those who are nearest, thus dearest for being most familiar to my own heart and soul. While there's grief of knowing others whom I don't know are refusing His mercy, unto their condemnation...desperation on this matter is deeper and far beyond keen regarding those of whom I have acquaintance, personal.

But He is the One who alone is Savior, Redeemer, and King. And I can only cry out to Him, knowing all the while that I can only strive for my own part to walk uprightly before Him. I cannot move the hands of another, nor incline the ears of another. No matter the opportunity which Christ provides to discuss the Gospel and the truth of His preeminence...I cannot capitulate another's heart unto His possession, become desirous of serving Him.

I can pray, though. I can still plead with Him.

So even then--no matter the grief, there's joy in being reminded yet again that He does hear.

I've been reminded often, lately, that the men who were called to spread His Word and plead His case with Israel prior to Christ's incarnation...many were rejected, outright. And some--like Jeremiah and Isaiah, particularly--were nearly entirely opposed and rejected and increasingly defied, throughout the entirety of their service to God and man.

So how great a mercy is it, that He would allow glimpses of grace?--that He would permit us at times to see His work progress in the lives and hearts of others? Hopefully unto witnessing His work of regeneration come to a fruition, even?

How gracious that though ears may sometimes become deaf, eyes blind, and hearts cold...then at times, otherwise, He may allow to see the opposite unfold--by His grace and power, alone?

What hope we have, in this God of ours!--who rules and reigns in the heavenlies and in our hearts, though yet He is also sovereign of all His creation? He came for us. He took on flesh, yes. And bled and died a horrific death to atone for our sins, that we would be redeemed...that all would have access to mercy, if we would but desire and seek for it...that we would find Him?

How great and kind our God is! This King who reigns and yet also gently shepherds us--lovingly as a Father, yet intimately as a Brother.

How marvelous, that this God of ours--the only living God--would condescend to intimately know us and draw us into fellowship with Himself by preserving a Word toward us in language, that we would have means to know Him?! On His terms, and yet...revealed in ours?! So gracious. So merciful. So inconceivably kind!

Lord, bless Your holy name. You are to be praised in all the earth! Your works are beyond comprehension and compare. Your wisdom is unattainable to us, and yet You have made yourself known! And have given us life, in Your son. Oh, Blessed, Holy Father! Thank you. Praise Your name, forever. Give us grace to seek Your face. And let us rejoice in Your mercies every day.

Dear Lord, thank You.