Sometimes, the word ‘day’ in Scripture means a period when a special event unfolds. We have been in the time of grace since the Lord’s first coming but these last days demand that we receive His gracious help in ways we’ve never experienced before. Why do I think so? Well the Bible describes the dangerous, difficult times we will experience in the last days in 2 Timothy 3. That Scripture clearly shows us that central to these ‘perilous times’ is the condition of people’s hearts. Yes, the selfishness, arrogance, offensiveness and hypocrisy that mark the last days mean that Christians will need God’s grace for each moment.
By grace, I’m referring to the simple meaning of the Greek word charis from which it is derived. Grace is God’s kind favour that He lovingly blesses us with. He gives grace to humble, broken humanity and causes us to experience victories, blessings and fulfillment that would be impossible in our strength. Now, the idea of grace has come under much discussion these days as Calvinist teaching has gained momentum in recent years. Perhaps the ensuing debate and vigorous disagreements have distracted us from the simple truth that God is tender, loving and kind and willing to pour blessings on the life of every human being who will trust His heart and might. What I’d love to focus on is not the debate but just our desperate need for God’s kindness and his loving help in this rough season.
We are in trouble. Many of us have lost the support systems of our childhood. Dependable loved ones may have passed away, church leaders may have apostatized while society has become frighteningly hostile to Christ and those who belong to Him. Sometimes, we feel as if we are in a breathless, never-ending battle against the forces of evil. Have your thoughts been viciously assailed by evil? Are you struggling to keep your children from being overwhelmed by evil influences, struggling to save them from becoming screen addicts? Do you find yourself mentally sifting through your acquaintances to find a Christlike soul to trust? Are you trying to juggle work, home and other responsibilities until you feel like you’re falling apart? Are you moved to tears and fears by the news? Do some personal interactions leave you bruised and shocked? Has the intensity of things like this just increased for you in recent times? The struggles of Christians worldwide have intensified. We need God’s grace. We need Him to just lean towards us and say “I’ll help you with this one and the next and the next…” Times like these teach us that only through God’s personal help and favour will we see His face in righteousness.
I feel the need to be real and plain in what I’m saying. Our common challenges demand loving honesty. If we don’t rely on God’s help in these times, we’ll fall. Yes, I mean we will fall to deception, fall by provocation, fall to desire or crumble because of frustration.
Recently, I reached a point where I was truly overwhelmed. The stress was just unbelievable. I struggled between shock at the intensity of the pressure and sheer frustration. I truly wondered why…why God, why? The Lord led me to 2 Corinthians 12:9 which says “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” This is the encouragement that I want to share with you.
In our times of trouble, in our times of deepest weakness, greatest embarrassment, loss and stress – our day of trouble, we can lean towards the God who leans towards us. As we face tests that separate the ‘men from the boys’, that call us into questioning about our true spiritual state and whether we are wise or foolish virgins, we need grace. We need God’s loving help and kindness moment by moment. God’s favour will be enough to meet the demands of our darkest days. His strength – the dunamis power of the Holy Ghost – will be completely revealed in us when we rest our frailty on Him. May our ‘day of trouble’ become personally, individually a day of God’s grace.
Voyce - Truth Live 