God’s grace is the most profound characteristic of His nature. He is high and exalted, our supreme majesty and creator of the vast expanse of the universe, yet, because of His love for us, God’s grace has restored our relationship with Him after we rejected his holiness and fell into sin.
Grace is God’s doing and He did it when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. Grace is God’s doing and he is still doing it in our lives to empower us to live in daily victory. It is God’s grace that turns our what-ifs into even-ifs.
In Daniel 3 we read about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were three Jewish men who, while Israel was in exile to Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar, refused to bow to an image of the king. They knew the grace of Yehovah, their God, would sustain them as they faced the consequences that would follow.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were arrested, tried and sentenced to death by burning in a fiery furnace. Yet, they had confidence that their mighty God would deliver them. They knew that God’s grace would empower them to endure the flames.
Even if I face a fiery furnace, O Lord, I know that you are with me in it and, by your grace, you will bring me out the other side.
However, on this side of the furnace, they faced great what-ifs. What if they could not resist? What if they suffered immense pain? What if they died in the fire? Nonetheless, they had confidence in God’s grace to deliver them. The boys replied to the king, “But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s God is your God today if you acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life. What if you face trials of every kind? What if there’s a new world war? What if the economy teeters on the edge of collapse? So, what if a new deadly pandemic breaks out across the world?
What if you lose your job, contract cancer, or lose all you hold dear? Well, even if disaster strikes, keep your eyes on Jesus and trust God’s grace to empower you through every trial of life. Grace is God’s doing and God will turn your what-ifs into even ifs.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4)
A prayer to receive God’s Grace
“Dear Lord, I know You are in total control of the affairs of man. I know you are in total control of my life and the lives of my loved ones. So, I place my confidence squarely in You and trust Your grace to bring me through every trial of life.
What if calamity strikes? Well, like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego I declare today, even if I face a fiery furnace, O Lord, I know that you are with me in it and, by your grace, You will bring me out the other side without so much as the smell of smoke on my clothes. Thank you, Abba Father, for your grace. Amen.”
God-tracking is trusting God’s grace even if calamity strikes
This devotional is part of the GodTracker series. A weekly devotional by Dudley Anderson, it is based on the premise that God has a plan for our lives. His Word calls us to seek His plan by acknowledging Him in all our ways and by tracking His purposes, in faith.
Read more GodTracker devotionals that will build up and encourage you in your Christian faith. Listen to GodTracker podcasts at, godtracker.co.uk/godtracker-podcasts
Also read: Get firmly set on tracking God’s Plans
Dudley Anderson
Originally from South Africa, Dudley Andersen now lives in the UK where he heads up Sure Reality Media and pastors Cornerstone Family Church in Worcestershire. He is married to Karen-Leigh and has two children, Kerryn and Ryan. Dudley has a background in radio and has worked for Radio Pulpit, Impact Radio and Christian Vision. Since 2005 he has produced diverse content for various Christian stations. He is the author of God-Tracking Through the Year and Overflowing Hope and writes a weekly e-mail devotional called, GodTracker. Dudley is also a worship leader.
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