People Grace

King David often expressed his sorrow and struggle: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. . . . I would hasten my escape” (Psalm 55:6 and 8). At times David’s grief drove him to the point of tears and he eloquently expresses his despair.

Because we live in a fallen world, we all face days of grief and struggle. How, exactly are we to find grace to help us in our times of need? Relying on a theological definition of grace does not help us when we are in the midst of crisis. We need God’s very real help when we are hurting.

God dispenses his grace through revelations during our trials that we could never understand in our good times. We find examples of this in the Word. John received the revelation of his Lord that would become the final element of Scripture: the Book of Revelation. In the midst of that dark hour, the light of the Holy Spirit came to him and John saw Jesus as he had never seen him before.

God also dispenses his grace through his people, using his own caring saints to become channels of his grace to others. I call this “people grace” and Paul speaks of it. “To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Ephesians 4:7).

And Peter writes, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10).

Think about what it means to be a good steward, or dispenser, of God’s grace. Are you such a person or do you spend your time praying only for your own pain, grief and struggles?

Beloved, your present sufferings are producing something precious in your life. As you receive his great grace, may the Lord help you to become a grace giver. Experience his life and rejoice!