The story of grace includes a broad range of characters — rich, poor, powerful, and powerless. For all of them, it is God’s grace that tips the scale in their favor. — Andy Stanley, The Grace of God
Who doesn’t appreciate a good story? I love that the Bible is jam packed with stories of people like you and me. All of them, in one way or another came face to face with Grace. {remember, story is a pull strategy?} In his book, The Grace of God, Andy Stanley uses the art of story telling to tell the story of Grace. Today, from chapters 1-4, I’m going to focus on the one that grabbed my heart the most. The one that really has me thinking. The story of Abraham. Here are a few things I noticed:
- Grace was already at work when God called Abraham.
- The call of Abraham by God was an invitation to relationship.
- Grace does not focus on what isn’t, but what is possible.
- The Grace filled relationship was ALL God’s idea.
- Grace came with a 3 fold promise of blessing.
- Grace led Abraham to a country he did not know where he was forced to depend on God for his provision.
- Grace came through when it looked like all hope was lost.
The story of Abraham reads like a modern day soap opera. (Who needs television when God pens drama like this?) Chosen and childless how in the world would God work out this story of Grace?
In His time.
In His way.
Every promise fulfilled.
Favor upon favor given.
So how does this speak to my heart about The Grace of God? I am thankful that with Grace – it is not the worthiness of the recipient that tips the scale. But, the one who gives the Grace that really matters. So I ask myself, “Do I really know the Grace giver? Do I believe in His promises? Do I know what those promises are? Like Abraham, would I follow Him to the end of the earth? Would I have faith to wait when all hope seemed lost?”
He is still here.
Still inviting us to Grace.
Ready to tip the scale in our favor.
Grace is here.
*****
{The winner of the book from last week is Caroline from Under God’s Mighty Hand! Congratulations, your copy of the book is on the way!}
Do you have a blog post to share about The Grace of God by Andy Stanley? Please add your link to the list below. Make sure you add the link to your post only.
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
What a profoundly humbling thing I am finding it to be as I encounter the lives of each of these people in the Bible and how God chose to extend grace, recognizing He is still that same God today.
You said, “It is not the worthiness of the recipient that tips the scale. But, the one who gives the Grace that really matters.”
I am beyond thankful that God’s scales do not match what I might tend to use. I am so undeserving of His scale, and yet He insists to use His own. Grace.
Amen! And I’m so thankful that God chose to share these stories with us! That in itself is grace – we are not alone in our need of His Grace. Story after story – they are ours as well!