The grace to be free... grace to be at peace... grace to be joyful amidst trials or sufferings... grace to be of courage and to stand for what is true, righteous, noble, holy, and be pleasing before the Lord - all of this can be achieved through the grace that is given in and through Christ our Lord!
Bear with me, as I share with you some facts about me. :)
Growing up as a kid, I could say, my life isn't that complicated... it was very simple in the sense that I grew up with both of my parents along with my siblings. It may not be perfect, we were not even rich, we sometimes need to borrow money from relatives and family friends to have both ends meet especially during my high school days because those were the years that all four (4) of us, my siblings are all studying - two of us in high school and two were in college. I remembered being anxious with the thought that I may be absent since I still don't have enough fare and that I don't have spare money to spend on school pamphlets, digests for assignments. I knew it was a time of pruning, of growth not only physically, but everything else - emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I was in my fourth year (high school) when I came to know the Lord... thankful for my classmate that before we part ways onto college... GOD has found me, 'twas His grace. That was just the beginning :)
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 PETER 3:18, New International Version (NIV)
These thoughts were running in my mind while attending the online service this morning; when the Pastor shared the experience of one of his members whose husband died due to complications from contracting COVID-19. He was particularly impressed with the words of the widow when she said that,
"May ikakatampo ba ako kay Lord? Wala along masabi... GOD has been faithful..."
Then the Pastor continued to share his insights from the context of Isaiah 49:15-16, as follows:
13 Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. 14 But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” 15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.
ISAIAH 49:13-16, NIV
There may be times in our lives that we question God, but verse 14 is a different statement but rather a strong accusation before God. Thus, the Pastor noted that GOD had responded (to Zion = Israel) by giving three (3) pictures as an example - a Mother, hand, and wall. Sharing with you the following notes:
(1) Mothers - (v.15) - "As exceptional as a mother's love, God's love for us is even more - it is UNFAILING!"
(2) Hand - (v.16a) - "God, our true Master, is the one who engraved His hands, not us who are sinners, unworthy, and rebellious. Because of His love, He wrote our names in the palm of His hands." In John 20, the Apostle Thomas doubted, hence the Lord Jesus showed His hands to him.
(3) Wall - (v.16b) - "your walls are ever before me," says the Lord which means "while we see ruins (in ourselves), HE sees restoration." He can make all things new. As long as we live, the Lord is not yet done or through with us... "do not put a period where God has put a comma."
"Whenever we feel left out, forgotten, or forsaken, if the thought "Did God give up on me?" crosses your mind, look at the cross. It is a powerful reminder that God has not forgotten nor forsaken you. GOD did not give up."
Pastor Christian flores, Victory katipunan online service (31 October 2021)
Father, thank You for Your unfailing love that never ceases, that continues to cover us through and through. Thank You for always being mindful of us even most of the time we do not deserve it. As the psalmist said, "What is it with man, that you are mindful of Him?" Thank you for never giving up on us! Cause us to live a life that pleases You, in Jesus' name. Amen!
https://gracetoday.online/2021/10/31/god-never-gave-up-on-you-why-should-you/
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