A Means of Grace

Michael E. Wood

August 20-24, 2011

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1^st Thessalonians 5:16-18

In our modern day culture we often use the term “means of grace” to refer to things such as Bible reading and prayer, church attendance, the preaching of God’s Word, and partaking of the Lord’s Table. While it is true that God, by grace through faith, does indeed reveal Himself by His Mighty Spirit to His children in these ways; He is the God of all grace and thus He reveals Himself and His will through the circumstances of our lives by His providence as well.  In contrast to much of today’s evangelical teaching, consider the following statements from the book, “Created to Praise”, by Derek Prime.

“Testing is one of the means by which God carries forward His savoring purposes.”

“Samuel Rutherford came to recognize that, ‘the Lord Jesus, in His mercy, makes room for Himself in our lives by our losses.’”

A means of grace that is not well known

Is that which lifts us up to the throne

Of Him Who in the midst of our trials

Makes more room for Himself as He smiles

Upon His children in whom He creates

A heart of praise which ever awaits

With hope that He in all expectation

Will be glorified through our tribulation.

As well we know from the promise we heard

From God Himself through His living Word

That as our Father and Sovereign of all,

He works all things for the humble that call

And trust in Him as Christ we make known,

Good shall come as His glory is shown

Amidst the things we don’t understand

As we commit all to His loving hand.

Free grace does not come by that which we do

And You order our lives to be centered in You.

For even our trials is Your sovereign appointment

That You use as our eyes are applied with the ointment

Of sight to see more clearly Oh Father

Your glory our end, as a son or a daughter.

So help us with patience, pursue then with joy

Your praise as our purpose of which You employ!

Thank You Father for reminding; all our need is Jesus

For His life for sin atoned and by His grace You seized us

As a brand plucked from the fire and raised with Him to own

No other pleasure than to praise Your glory on the throne!