THE GRACE OF GOD

“My grace is sufficient for you.”

-2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace is theological concept. In simple terms, grace is God’s reaching down to meet us at the point of our pain and despair and giving us the strength to endure and the hope to survive. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he spoke of God’s grace which brings salvation. He wrote, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).

The grace of God, though, is like a multifaceted diamond. One facet of grace is the help that allows us to endure when bad things happen. It is God’s grace which touches your life and lets you smile when the clouds are dark and gloomy. Grace brings a measure of cheerfulness when you are in deep waters financially, and you wonder where your next meal is coming from.

Paul had a lot of experience when it comes to bad things happening. He wrote, “We are hard pressed in every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8,9). We would say he was down but not out. But what is it that made the difference? It was the grace factor which brought him comfort and help.

To describe grace simply as God’s help would minimize it. But to understand that grace (which we do not deserve but is freely given) brings the answer to our great needs and connects us to the loving care of God. It’s a discovery well worth making.