Accessing Grace, I

James 4:^6-8 “…God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. So give yourselves completely to God… draw close to God, God will draw close to you…” (NCV, NLT, & LB, emphasis added).

God gives sustaining grace to the humble. Who are the humble? Those who are foolish enough to call out to God for help. To access God’s sustaining grace, the first thing you do is Call Out For God’s Help. Before I make the next statement, I want to issue a disclaimer. The disclaimer is that there is nowhere what I am about to say is written in the Bible. However, in my walk with God, and even though it is not literally written, I can draw inferences from the scriptures. God listens to the tone of your prayers. The tone of a prayer with zero intensity is very different from the tone of a heartfelt prayer with intensity. It is important to mention that while intensity varies for different people, intensity is intensity. God listens to the tone of your prayers.

To access God’s sustaining grace, the second thing you do is Fill Your Mind With God’s Word. Psalm 119:²⁵ “Lord, I’m fading away. I’m discouraged and lying in the dust; revive me by your word, just like you promised you would.” (TPT). Did the Psalmist say revive me by social media reels or by streaming platforms? A lot of people are flat out and they turn to streaming platforms to binge on movies or shows, or they turn to social media swiping from one reel to another. For you to access God’s sustaining grace when you are completely discouraged or flat out, fill your mind with God’s Word and you will be revived by God’s Word.

To access God’s sustaining grace, the third thing you do is Accept Support From God’s People. Galatians 6:² “By helping each other with your troubles, you truly obey the law of Christ.” (NCV). What I am about to say may shock some of you. The truth is that you are not going to make it on your own. No, you are not. You need to accept support from God’s people. But Pastor, this person and that person disappointed me. So, I am going to make it on my own. I am sorry for all the hurt and pain you feel from disloyal unfaithful people. But listen, you need people to make it out on top. You are not going to make it on your own, you need people to make it out on top.

That is how God designed it. I am not saying accept support from everybody in the world. I am not saying be vulnerable to everyone. Some people are not worthy of your presence or worthy of your relationship. The fact that you grew up in the same village does not mean you must rely on them. God will bring His own trustworthy people into your life. People who are not in competition with your destiny. People who are there to help you and vice versa.

Prayer: Father, I cry out to You for help, revive me by Your Word, pour Your sustaining grace into my life, and connect me with Your trustworthy people, in the Name of Jesus. Amen!