I am writing this blog at a time when there is major flooding happening along the Mississippi River. Although I know that this is a tragedy and I am not making light of this situation, I am going to talk about a flood in the Bible we are all familiar with.
A couple of blogs ago I began speaking on the subject of grace. Today is going to be no different. . . . Except with a twist.
Most of you have probably heard about the "law of first mention". Basically this means that to truly understand the meaning of a Biblical principle you need to go to the first time it is mentioned. The thought behind it is that God does not change, therefore the first mention will set a precedent to the interpretation of the principle throughout the Bible. How was that for fun? Aren't you glad that you are reading this? :)
So I want to talk about the first time Grace is mentioned in the Bible. This is important for all of us who may be going through trying times. You will see that Grace will carry you through. There is nothing that you are going through that God is not bigger. There is nothing that you are going through that God will not carry you through. There is nothing you are going through that God does not have the answer. The Bible says, "Thanks be to God who always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus." 2 Co. 2:14 I like to summarize it this way. . . . "It's not over until I win."
I remember reading a book by Kenneth E Hagin and he was talking about casting your cares unto the Lord. He was talking about going to these ministers meetings and listening to all the ministers complaining about their offerings and the needs of the church. They would look to him and ask him what problems he was dealing with. He would look back at these ministers and declare, "I don't have a care in the world." WOW! To come to a place of complete rest in God to CAST ALL OF OUR CARES TO HIM.
OK. . . . So Grace. . . . The first mention of Grace is found around the time of Noah and the building of the ark. In Genesis 6:5-6 the Bible says, "God saw that human evil was out of control. People thought evil, imagined evil—evil, evil, evil from morning to night. God was sorry that he had made the human race in the first place; it broke his heart. God said, "I'll get rid of my ruined creation, make a clean sweep: people, animals, snakes and bugs, birds—the works. I'm sorry I made them." (The Message)
That's a bad day. Can you imagine God looking at the earth today and saying. . . ."I am so fed up I am just going to wipe them all out and start over." No thanks. No matter what your end time theology is I am glad that I am saved, because "God has not ordained us for wrath." I Th. 5:9
Right in the midst of His intent to get rid of man and start over the Bible says this, " But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." Gen. 6:8 The result of this Grace is that God shared His plans to flood the earth, God gave them a plan to be saved through the flood and best of all God saved them in the midst of the flood.
As a believer God will not hide His wisdom from us when are in need. If we live a life led by the Spirit, he will not only usually share in advance when trials are coming our way, but will give us His wisdom on how to get through the trial. James says, "If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." I Corinthians 10:13 says, "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it." Finally, Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Here is the best part, in the midst of the storms of life, God will keep us. Jesus said in this world you will suffer persecution, but FEAR NOT I have over come the world. Think about about the three in the fiery furnace. . . . They didn't bow and as a result they were in the fire and did not burn and had they never been thrown into the fiery furnace the fourth man would have never appeared. Could it be that some of our troubles are just an opportunity for God to show himself strong on your behalf?
I could go on with examples, but I want to end with this.
No matter what you are going through. . . . . Financial difficulties, marriage problems, sickness, sin etc. God has Grace that will bring you into to triumph. IT'S NOT OVER UNTIL YOU WIN! The storms came, but the storms also left.
