Hebrews 4:16: “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
DAILY READING; John 8:48-59; 2 Chronicles 5:2-14; Malachi 2:10-4:7
Ruth Graham is the third child of the renowned Evangelist, Billy Graham. She is an author and speaker and founder of the Ruth Graham Ministries.
Like all the other daughters of Billy Graham, Ruth got married when she was only 18 years old. However, after almost 20 years of marriage, Ruth had to go through a divorce.
Being the daughter of a foremost evangelist, Ruth feared the divorce would damage Billy Graham’s reputation. She would be the first divorced person in her family, and she felt she had grossly disappointed her parents.
Perhaps to right the wrong, she quickly got into another relationship and rushed to get married again. However her parents were not in support of this second quick marriage and warned her against it.
But Ruth didn’t listen, she went ahead and got married against her parents’ wishes.
Within 24 hours of the second marriage, Ruth realized that she had Indeed made a mistake, as she found out that her new husband was violent. One month later, the marriage ended and fearing for her safety, Ruth got into a car and headed to her parents’ home.
During the long drive, all kinds of anxious thoughts swirled in her mind. She knew her parents had every right to say, “We told you so.” She especially dreaded her father’s anger. The closer home she drove, the more her fears multiplied at every mile.
She was nervous, anxious and broken when she finally arrived.. As she rounded the last bend of the long driveway to their home, she saw her father, Billy Graham, standing in front of the house, waiting.
She feared the worst. However, as she got out of the car, she was greatly surprised. Rather than reprimand, her father wrapped his arms tightly around her and said, ‘Welcome home.’
There was not a hint of condemnation in his expression and voice. In that moment, Ruth indeed realized the true meaning of Grace. “It was a wonderful picture of a father’s love for a broken child,” Ruth said later in a media interview.
Love and acceptance from her family helped Ruth to heal. Today, she ministers the same healing to others through her ministry..
She has outlined her struggles and healing process in her book titled ‘In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart..’
Ruth Graham’s story is a portrait of God’s amazing grace.
We don’t deserve it, we can’t afford it, yet God keeps lavishing His grace on us.
God’s grace is greater than our sins, faults and failures.
Grace does not look upon our weakness or shortcomings, rather it observes us through eyes of love.
At a time of doubt, fear and insecurity, when you feel alone and helpless, grace shows up to offer a second chance.
It doesn’t matter where you have been or what you have done, there is always healing, deliverance and restoration available at the throne of grace.
Hebrews 4:16 say “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
If you have made mistakes or have struggles that has hindered your spiritual progress, it is time to come to the open arms of the Father and be wrapped in His forgiveness and grace.
Do not keep on struggling under the weight of guilt and condemnation. Sufficient grace has been made available through the Blood of Jesus.
However, we must also realize that we cannot receive God’s grace in vain.
The Bible says very clearly, “Whosoever confesses and forsakes his sin shall have mercy with the Lord”.
When the woman caught in adultery was brought to Jesus, He looked at her and said, “Neither do I condemn you, but go, and sin no more”.
When grace is received, true repentance and positive change must follow.
We do not squander God’s grace. Therefore, we must be careful about some of the ‘grace messages’, that encourage people to sin and claim that they are ‘covered by grace’.
When we receive grace, there must be a determination to have a change in conduct. Certainly, the grace of God should leave us better than it met us.
Therefore in this season, as we connect to divine grace, let us
be determined to rise above past failures and indeed live in ways that continually brings glory to God.
PRAYER: Lord, I thank You for Your grace that is at work in my life. Please enable me never to squander Your grace or receive it in vain. By Your help, I shall certainly live a life that continually glorifies You in Jesus Name..
QUOTE:
The test you are going through in life today is not for your destruction, it is for your testimony. – WORDBITE 222.