God's Great Grace Is Ours

Sometimes I face challenges that are bigger than I can handle. So, I cry out to the Lord. I believe He told me once that a lot can be accomplished a little at a time. Going step by step is something I can work with.

I know from experience how challenges can seem like mountains, but God promises to direct our steps and give us His help and wisdom (Psalm 37:23, Psalm 51:6). He gives us the courage to keep going forward (Joshua 1:9).  

My friend and her hiking companion are trained hikers. Recently they climbed the strenuous, steep, five-mile hike up the rugged terrain of Mount St. Helens in Washington State. They trekked through woods, a forest, large rocks, and big lava boulders. In places the trail was so narrow they could barely see where to place their feet, so it was important to stay focused on the path, pray and breathe with the goal of accomplishing their mission. Also, they quoted Scripture to encourage themselves knowing they would make it; God was for them (1 Peter 5:7). 

This sounds like many of the issues we face! We see the challenge before us but navigating to the other side isn’t always within our immediate sight or close reach. And this is where we hold onto the hope that is in Christ Jesus who always leads us to triumph and keeps us in peace. 

My friend said that during the hike up the mountain there were boulders to lean on or push or pull up on. Poles placed along the way provided direction and support. The Lord will provide signposts and support for our journey too. 

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts (Zechariah 4:6).

Let’s face it, we can do nothing on our own, but by His powerful Spirit and with His great grace, all things are possible through Christ (2 Corinthians 12:9), even surmounting challenging mountains. 

A coupling of the words  “Grace, grace” is found twice in Scripture:

What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become a plain; and he will bring forth the top stone with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!" (Zechariah 4:7)

For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace (John 1:16).

Strong’s Concordance defines grace as God’s favor toward us and my pastor says grace is God’s “supernatural enablement at work in us.” By praying in faith and relying upon Him, God will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. His grace is poured out to enable us to courageously press on through the mountain until we arrive victoriously on the other side.  

When we can’t see our way through, just as God did with the mountain Zechariah faced, we too must speak “Grace, grace!” and watch God do a mighty work. In the process of going through each mountain, we choose to keep our eyes fixed on a higher mountain, God’s Mountain —  Mount Zion where His divine presence is our source of grace and strength to prevail. Amen! 

The mountains will be brought low, and the crooked places will be made straight (Luke 3:5) because we are clinging to the One who is our life, our strength, and our way maker. 

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Scripture is quoted from the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.