Principle #22--Psalms of Discipleship: Grace

Warm greetings to each one of you, my friends.

The last time we talked, our subject matter dealt with our response when it seemed that our circumstances would overwhelm us--even to the point of our giving up in the heat of the battle.

I am reminded of the words of an old seminary professor of mine who would remind his students of this great principle: "Don't hoist the white flag of surrender during the smoke of battle." His point? Never underestimate God's plan for you during your trial. "What is He saying? What does He want you to learn? What does He want you to do?"

If we wait on the Lord and trust in His provision of grace, we will be far more stronger in our faith when we get to the other side of the storm.

This is exactly what the Psalmist did: when it seemed that all hope was lost (Psalm 13:1-4), he made the volitional choice of faith to trust in the character of his Lord (His lovingkindess or mercy). Remember: Although our circumstances change, God's character is always the same.

For all of us, we too must make a choice: are we placing our trust in our ability to bend God's will so we may have a "pleasant" outcome from our trials or are we placing our trust in God's character no matter how things turn out for us? Sobering questions. May we all learn how to apply God's grace in a way that will cause us to grow closer to Him.

Learning with you,

Denny


Psalms of Discipleship—Principle #22

Life Principles For Those Who Choose To Follow Jesus And Live The Discipled Life

Key Scripture: 5 But I have trusted in Your lovingkindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5-6

Core Value: Grace

Although the disciple of Jesus Christ often faces times of great adversity and spiritual challenge, it is God’s grace that helps us not only survive, but to live in such a way where we actually grow in our faith. In the book, Follow me: experience the loving leadership of Jesus, Jan David Hettinga lends his voice to the perspective of grace being the catalyst to spiritual growth.

“Grace, the supernatural forgiving love and transforming power of God, is released through the deliberate act of giving up the kingdom of self. Giving up is not a ‘work.’ It is a cessation of resistance. It is the losing wrestler surrendering to the winner. God repeatedly makes it clear that He resists the proud (those who are full of their own egoism) but gladly gives grace to the humble (Psalm 18:27, James 4:6-10, 1 Peter 5:5-6). The faucet that turns on the pipeline of saving grace is the voluntary choice of humility. This is the heart of repentance. The event of salvation then immediately becomes the process of humble obedience. And enabling grace keeps on flowing.” (Hettinga 1996, pg. 141-142)

May His enabling grace keep on flowing through each one of us; every day, in every way.

Principle #22 & Personal Application: The quality disciple responds to the grace of God with trust, rejoicing, and singing.

Because God’s grace has been bountifully applied to our lives:

• We can put our trust in His lovingkindess.

• We can rejoice in His salvation with our heart.

• We can with sing with a heart of praise and worship to the Lord.

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count. Psalms 40:5 (NASB95)

Reflect & Respond: Some Really Good Questions To Ponder…

When I take a few moments and meditate on the grace of God, what comes to my mind?

How does the grace of God compel me to serve Him today?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You have dealt bountifully with me. You have given me what I do not deserve (that’s grace) and not given me what I do deserve (that’s mercy). May I put my trust in Your lovingkindness; may my heart rejoice in Your great salvation; may I sing to You today with a heart of praise and worship to my Great God!

The Essential Core Values Of The Quality Disciple Are…
Grace—Worship—Bible Study—Prayer—Community—Service—Evangelism

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