Grace Beyond Expectation
Tuesday’s Verse:
From 2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
We continue our devotional theme, “The Greatest Mystery: Uncovering Forgiveness.” Today, our theme confronts the question of when God provides grace in a way we never expected.
God’s grace can come to us in unexpected ways. We ask God for strength in suffering only to learn how to depend on Him instead of experiencing relief from the suffering. When Paul asked God to take away his pain, he didn’t wave a magic wand and heal him. Instead, God granted Paul’s prayer by revealing that Christ was sufficient for him.
God shows us grace in surprising ways. Sometimes it shows up as a door closing to keep us from harm we cannot see. Other times, God provides grace through a timely conversation with the perfect stranger. Grace shows up when our weakness becomes a testimony or a trial turns our hearts to compassion. Oftentimes, God’s grace redeems our disappointments. Instead of giving us the thing we prayed for, He provides strength through His endless supply of mercy.
When we realize that God shows us grace where we are at—not where we want to be—we begin to understand the greatness of His mercy.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Merciful Father, give me eyes to see how You provide grace in the most unexpected places. Teach me to recognize Your goodness, even when it’s disguised. Lord, help me to find rest in knowing You are enough today. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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