Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
Grace
helps in our every need and is the reason behind every deliverance. It
preserves, comforts, encourages, and strengthens us.
Blogger
Myquillyn Smith experienced grace in a unique way while visiting Uganda with
Compassion International. They met a girl named Grace, a girl whose name
describes the family perfectly. Let’s listen as she tells us her story:
Grace’s mom runs out to greet us when we pull up. Isn’t that
what we all do when company’s coming? I like her already.
Grace and her mother usher us to their back yard. We listen to a
mother tell of seven years of horrors as goats and chickens tried desperately
to get our attention.
Mom’s demeanor goes from joyful to somber.
Grace sits still next to her mom and listens as she tells us
about how her husband, Grace’s dad was killed, how they were taken captive,
freed, and captive again. How rebels cut off her grandmother’s breasts. How
people promised to protect them only to chase them away. Not once, but twice.
I can’t help but wonder what I was doing the day Grace’s daddy
was killed. What was I fretting over the day her mother held her hands up and
surrendered after watching as the men in their family were beaten to death? …
Mom is strong and prays and says she remembered the story of Job
during her seven years of wandering, hiding and being held captive.”
How can Grace’s mom be
strong even after years of torture and abuse? She spoke of Job who continued
trusting God even in a time of terrible suffering—he lost all his children, his
wealth, and his health. Job recognized that his pain was not permanent. When we
suffer and don’t understand why, we can trust that God has a greater plan in
place. We can trust God’s grace to help us in our time of need. Grace
perseveres.
What is the result? As
recipients of God’s grace, we are called to share His grace with others. 1
Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to
serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Lord, I praise You for the grace that You have given me. I pray
for those who are suffering around the world that they would know Your grace
that sustains in times of trouble.
