Finding Grace Down in the Hole
‘I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. “ – Jeremiah 29:11 CEB
As we are still in the process of trying to assess all that has been lost in the floods that followed the arrival of Hurricane Matthew, it may be hard for many of us who are personally experiencing a real life nightmare to still recognize God’s grace amongst so much horror.
For example, I am not ashamed to admit that while the days following the storm have been hard, the nights have been much harder. And now whether it’s day or night I sometimes feel like I am all alone in the bottom of an extremely deep and deadly hole, with no water to drink, and very little air to breathe. [ 2 Corinthians 12:9 ] But the Truth is God has delivered me! I am after all alive, and so are you if you’re reading this. [ John 8:32 ] Yet the challenge we still face is this: Now that God has delivered us, how do we survive? [ Proverbs 3:5 ]
Note that the word survive is defined as: continuing to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship; to continue to live or exist in spite of (an accident or ordeal); to remain alive after the death of a particular person; and to manage to keep going in difficult circumstances.
Therefore as we prayerfully ask God for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, might, and fear that comes from the Spirit of the Lord [ Isaiah 11:1-2 ], let’s travel exegetically as the The Holy Spirit leads us into the bottom of a series of deep holes where Joseph, Micaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Jesus, and group of refugees also known as the Israelites once stood.
In Exodus 14 we find the Israelites between a rock and a hard place with seemingly no where to go. But due to the power of God they found grace in the bottom of a hole surrounded by water, and they were delivered.
On the other hand, In Numbers 13-14 we ironically find some of the Israelites doubting the power and grace of God. Consequently those who rebelled against God, though they were delivered many,many times before, did not survive.
In Genesis 37, 1 Kings 22, Jeremiah 38, Daniel 6, and Mark 15-16 we learn that Joseph, Micaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and Jesus were thrown into the bottom of a hole by men, but God had another plan! As a result they found grace, and by the power of God they were delivered and survived!
Faith family, God’s wisdom is calling out to us today. [ Proverbs 1 ] Therefore let us all study fearfully [ reverently before God through the aid of the Holy Spirit ] the lesson that God is sharing with us in Jeremiah 28-29, Revelation 2-3 and all of the passages featured in this study guide as we continue to seek God’s counsel together in the difficult days that lie ahead.
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, above all else we desperately seek your wisdom. Therefore we thank you for strategically increasing our hunger and thirst for that which is righteous in Your eyes. We humbly come before you today asking for the wisdom, knowledge, understanding, counsel, might and fear that comes from the Spirit of the Lord. Father we acknowledge that You indeed have a plan, that Your plan requires and demands our obedience to You, and that our hearts and ears must be attentively tuned into your Word. God we also accept that Your plan not only includes grace and deliverance, but also discipline and correction because You love us. [ Hebrews 12 ] Lord we realize that although you have delivered us again and again our survival is conditioned upon us listening to and following You through whatever comes our way. [ Romans 11:22 ] So dear Father please give us the faith and courage to accept the gift of Your grace, even when we’re in the bottom of a hole. Amen.
Key Understanding:
We must accept God’s grace on His terms.
Relevant Study:
John 8:32
Romans 11:22
Proverbs 3:5
Isaiah 11:1-2
Proverbs 1
Jeremiah 28-29
Jeremiah 38
Exodus 14
Numbers 13-14
Genesis 37
1 Kings 22
Daniel 6
Mark 15-16
Revelation 2-3
Have a Blessed Day!
Jay
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