The Miracle of Enduring Grace

During these past weeks I've had some really good times with the Lord.  I listened to a couple sermons that gave me some insightful things to ponder.  I've been thinking and praying about several things.  I so love how God keeps teaching me things on this long journey. 

When we go through trials, sickness, suffering - any kind of a hard time - we pray for change, for healing, for miracles.  Sometimes we get the answer we're praying for, but often times we don't.  How we respond to those times is so important in our walk with the Lord.

I've been thinking that there are two kinds of miracles in answer to our prayers.  One is relief from the difficult thing we're praying for.  But the other kind of miracle is an enduring grace and faith to go through the hard time.  It's not something we can "work up" in ourselves.  It's a miracle from the Lord to walk through the painful and difficult thing.  I think this is the miracle I've been experiencing the past 9 years!  I couldn't have made it without God's "miracle" of enduring grace and faith.  The power seen in instant miracles is also seen in endurance - perhaps even more so!

Enduring faith helps build our character in the midst of the difficulty.  I know that has happened for me.  God has taught me so many precious lessons during these years - and He's drawn me closer and closer to Him.  I wouldn't trade that for anything.

When God doesn't answer a prayer in the way we thought would happen - when He says "no" - there is a better "yes" to follow in what He has for us.  A delayed answer is "gaining interest" in the ways that God works in our lives.  

A breakthrough, a miracle, in what we're praying for is not a formula.  It's all about relationship and trust in what God has for us.  We have to remember that "God is working in all things for good."  Saying "yes" to God no matter what happens is where we gain strength in our walk with Him.  This is where there is strength in the midst of our weakness, sickness, and trials.  Trust in Him in the midst of the trial keeps hope alive for whatever He has in store for us. 

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10 

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  Hebrews 10:36

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.' "  Lamentations 3:22-24

"Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."  2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:5,6

"We pray that you'll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul - not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives.  It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy."  Colossians 1:11 The Message

"I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith."  Ephesians 3:16

Faith often brings answers, but not all the answers.  Enduring faith presses us into God for the answers He has for us.  There is power seen in miracles, but there is also much power, maybe even more, seen in endurance.  I sometimes look back over all these recent years at everything that has happened in my life.  I honestly don't know how I've made it.  It is only by the miracle of God's enduring grace and faith that I've survived.  And the wonderful thing with God helping us to endure is that we don't come through all bruised and battered.  Because we're walking with Him, learning the lessons He has for us - we come through in victory!  

As I've pondered these things the last few weeks, I have been overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord for His goodness to me.  My heart is so full of worship for how wonderful God has been to me day by day, week by week, month by month!  He is awesome!