Have you ever felt hopeless? Maybe you've hoped for better outcomes, smoother paths, or even just hoped for hope itself. I know I have. But where do we find true, lasting hope when everything around us seems chaotic and uncertain?
As we dive into Psalm 91 today, we'll uncover a powerful truth: our ultimate source of hope is found in God's grace. This grace isn't just a one-time event; it's a continuous thread woven throughout our lives. Let's explore the three moments of grace that can transform our perspective and renew our hope.
1. God's Grace Prepares Us
"For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease." - Psalm 91:3
The first moment of grace is what theologians call "prevenient grace." This is God's way of anticipating our needs and preparing the way for us. It's like He's setting the stage before we even step onto it.
Think about it: when you flip on the radio and hear just the right song, or when you bump into a friend who needs the exact encouragement you can provide – that's prevenient grace at work. God is constantly drawing us to Himself, even when we don't realize it.
I want to remind you that if you don't feel God drawing you to himself, it's not because he's not. The question we need to ask ourselves is, "How can I become more sensitive to the movement of God in my life?"
2. God's Grace Saves Us
"He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection." - Psalm 91:4
The second moment of grace is what we often think of when we hear the word "grace" – it's the moment of salvation. This is God's justifying grace, the grace that makes us right with Him.
Let me share a powerful illustration. There's a story about a wildfire in Yellowstone National Park where rangers found a petrified bird at the base of a tree. When they disturbed it, they discovered live chicks underneath. The mother bird had sacrificed herself to save her young.
In the same way, Jesus was willing to die so that those under the cover of his wings could survive. This saving grace justifies us – or as one pastor beautifully put it, it makes it "just as if I'd never sinned."
3. God's Grace Empowers Us
"Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday." - Psalm 91:5-6
The third moment of grace is what empowers us to live differently. This sanctifying grace invades every aspect of who we are, changing us from the inside out.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, described it this way: "If grace was being described as walking up to a house, it would be his prevenient grace that gets you to the doorstep, and it would be justifying grace that gets you in the house. And it would be sanctifying grace that fills every room of the house with love."
This is the grace that keeps us growing and keeps us going, no matter what challenges we face.
Life Application: Embracing God's Grace
So, where do we find hope? In the grace that God offers across our lifetime. Here are some practical steps to embrace this grace:
1. Recognize God's Preparation: Pay attention to the "coincidences" in your life. They might be moments of God's prevenient grace preparing you for something greater.
2. Accept God's Salvation: If you haven't already, consider accepting the gift of justifying grace. Remember, "God's grace is for everyone. You've never graduated from your need for God's grace."
3. Live in God's Power: Allow God's sanctifying grace to empower you daily. Ask Him to fill every room of your life with His love and transform you from the inside out.
4. Choose Hope: As Adam Grant wisely noted, "The attitude that helps most with intense stress is not mindfulness. It's hope." Choose to anticipate a brighter future, grounded in God's unfailing grace.
Remember, no matter what stands before you, God's grace has already gone before you. So today, I invite you to experience God's grace anew. Ask Him to show you His grace in your life. Because in these moments of grace – preparing, saving, and empowering – we find an unshakeable hope that can carry us through any storm.