God offers to pour out great grace and truth in the midst of all sorts of pressures to do all we do throughout our day. This comforts us. It brings peace of soul. Truly, the peace and strength of the Holy Spirit, God’s presence in us, is a real source of grace and strength to help us do whatever we are doing. That’s why in John 16:7 Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Comforter/Helper.
Truly, the Holy Spirit is God’s very presence in our heart. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth three times because His Spirit in us guides us in all truth as we ask Him for it. He pours God’s love into our heart and illuminates our mind with God’s solutions. Truly, the Holy Spirit is God’s joyful presence to guide us in God’s awesome grace and truth!
Paul encourages us that “God is truly able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).
RELEVANCE
We don’t always think God can provide practical solutions to us in times of need. However, the Bible is full of stories where God’s people have called upon Him for help and solutions in times of need. We first see this in the stories of the patriarchs, the family through whom God established His covenant of grace—Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
In Genesis 12 we see that God initiated a covenant with Abraham. It is a covenant promising blessing and fruitfulness to Abraham’s descendants. Abraham endured great trials. However, in Genesis 17:6 God says to Abraham, “I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you…” This is why Abraham is known as the father of faith. So, in a time of famine Abraham goes to Egypt. Over time God’s grace is poured out and he comes out rich in livestock. Then at 100 years old God pours out more grace and he and his barren wife Sarah conceive a son, Isaac. Then at another time of grace God provides a ram to be the sacrifice God had called for.
Isaac also experienced God’s grace in powerful ways. The Bible recounts his story of digging wells during great opposition. In Genesis 26:3 God says to Isaac, “I will be with you and bless you.” He certainly did. In one year, he sowed and reaped one hundred-fold. God’s grace provided solutions during times of great conflict. In that grace Isaac and Rebekah conceived Jacob and Esau after twenty years of barrenness.
God then promised grace to Jacob and Esau. He specifically told Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15). God did keep him and blessed him. After twenty years of serving his unscrupulous uncle Laban, God provided grace, and he came out blessed with much livestock.
David provides us with an abundance of testimonies whereby God answered him in times of need. God provided grace and strength to wrestle his sheep from the mouths of lions and bears when he was a shepherd boy. God provided grace to defeat the giant Goliath with a sling and stone. God provided grace and protection as David ran from King Saul for several years. God provided grace and wisdom as he governed Israel as king for forty years. We can glean a wealth of wisdom and encouragement from David as we read his journal—His psalms. We can clearly see why the people called Jesus son of David.
The New Covenant then overwhelms us with stories of God pouring grace upon His people.
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…16 And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:14-18).
We read an abundance of stories in the book of Acts about God pouring out His grace and truth in a variety of circumstances. Yes, God will provide grace and truth to guide you in every situation you can find yourself in.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
5 Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
(Psalm 34:4-8)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
What solution do you need today? As you call upon the Lord place your trust in God. Invite the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen you and whisper God’s encouragement to your heart. Believe for God’s solutions. Open your heart to receive all God wants to pour into it.
REFERENCES
Acts 4:33; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Timothy 1:12-16