Strength for your journey

  Meditation for your Inspiration and Elevation

Luke 13:1-5

1There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 

I Cor. 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.   But for the grace of God (last sent 8-4-24)

                                     But for the grace of God

“But for the grace of God, there go I,” is an expression I’ve heard since childhood. It basically means that the situations we see others in could just as easily be ours, and the only thing that separates that repositioning is the grace of God. It is a powerful and humbling thought, that is even more humbling, and frightening when you see some of the conditions others are in.

In my visits to hospitals and nursing homes, I see people in many different conditions, some rarely conscious of their existence. Witnessing such conditions is a reminder that I could just as easily be the one being visited as the one doing the visiting. I know that Just about anything can happen to just about anybody at just about any time. But for the grace of God, I, or you, could be where they are.

In one of the scriptures used as the background for this meditation, people asked Jesus to explain some terrible things that had happened to innocent people. Jesus didn’t choose to explain the random happenings of life, but He assured them that they were all subject to being victims of those happenings. It was the way of this world, and the most secure thing they could do was to have a right relationship with God. Paul echoed that sentiment in his letters to the Christians at Corinth, and it is just as true for us today.

None of us have a strong argument for why the bad things that happen to others could not just as easily and justly have happened to us. We are no better than some of them, and in many cases, not nearly as good. We cannot explain our good fortune any more than Paul could explain his. So, he attributed it to the grace of God.  

And what is the grace of God? It is the unmerited favor of God: it is the good that God does for us that we don’t deserve and can’t explain. Grace is beyond man’s understanding. No one knows why God does what He does, how He chooses who to bless, and who to give that which He gives them. Jesus made that point to those who questioned Him about the tragic events they asked Him to explain.

Even though we can’t explain God’s grace, I think there is an appropriate response to it. I certainly have a response to the grace that God has shown to me. 

My first response to God’s grace is gratitude. As a child, I often heard the melodic song, “When I arose this morning, I said, “Thank you Lord.” Those were the utterances of people who understood that their mere survival overnight was due to the grace of God. They understood the truth Paul wrote in the scripture that says, “For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” Knowing how fragile life is, and how quickly it can be taken, I am thankful for every minute of it that I have.

I also respond to God’s grace with compassion. Because of God’s grace to me, I am compassionate and helpful to those who are having tough times. I feel that if God spares me from suffering, the least I can do is help those who are suffering. I know I can’t pay, or bribe God, but I can do as much as I can to show how much I appreciate His grace to me. I also know that at any time, things can change, and rather than being in the position to give help, I might need help. I think I would feel better receiving help if I ever needed it if I had given it when I was in the position to do so. 

I also think it is appropriate to praise God in response to His grace. Through our praises we let the world know that we know that whatever good fortune comes to us, it is because of the grace of God. And but for his grace, our lives would be much worse. I am always mindful of, and thankful for the grace and mercy of God, and I love the song that declares it.

Your grace and mercy brought me through.

I'm living this moment because of you.

I want to thank you and praise you too,

Your grace and mercy brought me through.

William Jenkins