Amazing Grace

¹⁶ Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and prayed,

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 

¹⁸ “What more can I say to you about the way you have honored me? You know what your servant is really like. ¹⁹ For the sake of your servant, O Lord, and according to your will, you have done all these great things and have made them known.  
1 Chronicles 17:16, 18-19

As we celebrate the beginning  of another new year many times we look back and reflect on what has happened in the past. As I look at this past year I mostly see the difficulties that have happened.  Yes, there have been many good thing also, but what stands out are the struggles.  Then this verse came up in my quiet time today and it makes me think about how even though it has been a tough year, God has brought me through it and in the process has drawn me closer to Him.  Even though, just like David said, "you know what your servant is really like ... you have done all these great things"  

The fact that I am still here, on this earth, in Germany, at Black Forest Academy, etc., is only by God's grace.  I do not deserve and have done nothing to earn this privilege.  I am humbled that I am part of this story, this tapestry that He is weaving.  To be a small thread in the picture of His work to redeem us and love us, is more than I can comprehend, how and why am I significant?  Again, it is only by His grace, His provision and sustenance that I am here.  He gives resources, talents and interests to us to use for His glory and to spread His love to those who do not know Him yet.  God works through all of us who trust Him, in His own way and time to accomplish His goal, which is our salvation.  We many times do not comprehend His methods, He says:

            ²⁴ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵ This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 

1 Corinthians 1:24-25

Through Christ we have the power to continue on to complete the work set before us.  As I look ahead into this new year, I do not see and end to the struggles that we all face, but I know with confidence that God is with those who love Him and that HE will continue to uphold us, sustain us and if we allow, use us to further His purposes in world. 

      ...'tis Grace has brought me safe thus far and Grace will lead me home (because) ...God who called me here below will be forever mine...

 I pray that as we enter this new year that we all will rely on His amazing grace to lead us closer and closer to Him and ultimately to our final home, in and for His glory.