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Posted by David Kitz for “I Love the Psalms” @  https://davidkitz.wordpress.com/

Original post found @ https://davidkitz.blog/2021/12/22/saving-grace-for-the-days-ahead-2/

Saving Grace for the Days Ahead

22WednesdayDec 2021

Posted by davidkitz in Psalms, Psalm 40

Tags God, David, the LORD, charis

Reading: Psalm 40:11-17

Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles without number surround me;
my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
and my heart fails within me.
Be pleased to save me, LORD;
come quickly, LORD, to help me.
May all who want to take my life
be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.
May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
be appalled at their own shame.
 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
“The LORD is great!”
 But as for me, I am poor and needy; may the LORD think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer; you are my God, do not delay (NIV).*

Photo by David Kitz

Reflection
David begins Psalm 40 by praising the LORD for rescuing him from the slimy pit of the past. But David ends this psalm with a fresh appeal for God’s mercy. Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD may your love and faithfulness always protect me.

As we move forward, it is only fitting that we take time to praise God for what He has done for us in the past. Let us never forget the LORD’s faithfulness has brought us to this point. We are not where we are today because of our own cleverness, effort or ability. Every talent we have is a gift from God; every breath we take is a gift from the Giver of Life.

Yet again David appeals for God’s salvation. Be pleased to save me, LORD; come quickly, LORD, to help me.

By the grace of God I have experienced an initial point of salvation, just like David, but my salvation needs to be renewed from time to time. We all need to experience fresh surges of God’s grace and love. Grace (charis) in the full New Testament sense means much more than just unmerited favor. It means we are recipients of God’s providential gifting and power to live a maximized life under His caring guidance. There’s something supernatural about grace. It goes beyond human ability or ingenuity because it comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. When we call out to God as David did, we are tapping into an ocean full of help, strength and possibilities beyond fathoming.

May that grace, that charis of God, be with you and upon you in the days ahead.

Response: LORD God, I need You as I face the days ahead. Equip me with divine grace and ability for each day through the love and power of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: How have you experienced God’s grace in the past week—the past year?

* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA

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P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832&sxsrf=AOaemvKpi2-AyN5L6LhRQTz8d94Q1puORA:1640783421923&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+God%27grace&fir=FzeUaBQOzNxajM%252CXhfFfVHitp59FM%252C_%253BXjSAdrlm4daH8M%252Cc1MXig2zdQAdaM%252C_%253BialyMp7QYIkEwM%252CIMDifpLEFAtFcM%252C_%253BoaxhDLMaQaQzHM%252CXhfFfVHitp59FM%252C_%253B3349Vo85nTzxLM%252CXhfFfVHitp59FM%252C_%253BtJVy3iQqg_FgkM%252CXhfFfVHitp59FM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kSeLC7WEtni2f7Dl6O7wSjhAj52YA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi3gJHIion1AhV2kYkEHR4XCL4QjJkEegQIAhAC&biw=1238&bih=927&dpr=1#imgrc=7LVlyZ_fG2UMxM