From 31 Days of Praise
by Ruth Myers; Day #28: “I exult in the free, confident access You have
provided, so that I can come into Your Presence for warm fellowship, for
refreshment, for mercy when I’ve failed, for grace when I’m in need. What a joy
to know that I can draw near to You at any moment, wherever I may be . . . that
I can come boldly to Your throne of grace, assured of Your glad welcome – not
because I’m worthy or because I’ve served You, but because You’re a God of
grace, a God of unmerited, unlimited favor – not little dribbles of favor
reluctantly measured out, but overflowing, super-abundant favor. I’m so glad
that You welcome me just as I am, simply because Jesus is my risen Savior, and
I am alive with His life and righteous with His righteousness!”
Today, that grace and mercy from God is what I’m most
thankful for. Without it I would be living in fear and guilt, unable to rise up
and be glad in my circumstances. I don’t always believe I’m totally forgiven
and free from the guilt of my sin, but Scripture tells me I am – just because
of what Jesus did and because He’s my Savior.
I’m without fear of eternity and that only comes from having
a relationship with God. But, my faith wavers and sometimes I have to rely on
sources outside of my own thinking to regain a sense of being totally forgiven
and loved. Sometimes I turn to various books, like the 31 Days of Praise quoted from above, to help me focus on the
truths of my relationship with Christ. Sometimes I rely on friends to remind
me. Sometimes it’s my therapist that says the words I need to hear to put me in
the right mindset to have the faith I need to turn to God.
On this day, Thanksgiving 2014, I could focus on the many
blessings in my life, but I’m choosing to focus on the ultimate reasons for
thankfulness: Salvation, grace, and mercy because of Jesus. My you find the
same thankfulness in your lives this holiday season.
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