How many times have we prayed, “Lord give me grace right now” and really hoped it would happen? There are times in our lives where we might feel we need extra grace to deal with a difficult situation or problem we are facing, but we are only thinking of the hear and now. The Prophet Jeremiah says that God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours. He knows best and gives grace at the perfect moment and sometimes when we are least expecting it.

I was sharing with a dear Christian brother at work yesterday how I felt God had given me grace to deal with our current business problems of work that is slowing down. I typically respond by worrying and complaining. Although I have done that this time around, I have also been praying and asking the Lord for grace and wisdom, and I have had a little more peace in my heart. My friend responded by saying, “You know, I have noticed the same thing. You do seem more at peace!” He has definitely seen me worry, so I appreciated his honest feedback. He then shared with me this illustration that I thought was very helpful for me to pass along in my blog. To summarize:

There was a well known saint during the time of intense Christian persecutions who was asked to deny Christ or be burned at the stake who had to give an answer the following morning. They put him in a prison cell and gave him a lit candle. The man began to put his finger over the burning candle to test how long he could withstand the pain. Each time, he would pull his finger away and say to himself, “I just can’t do it. It hurts to much. I don’t have it in me to die this way!”

The next day, his enemies came to him and said, “Will you recant your beliefs in Christ?” At that moment, he was able to say, “No!” and was burned at the stake. After the flames were lit, this dear saint began to sing praises to God until God took him home.

This illustration gives us a good picture of God’s timely grace. The man felt he needed extra grace the night before, which I am sure the Lord ministered to him immensely. BUT, at the perfect time, God’s time, He gave this man more grace to endure the present suffering.

I remember hearing how my new brother in law, Jesse Beaty, dealt with hearing the news of his brothers death in a car accident last fall. Jesse fell to his knees and cried, “Thank you Lord for the 21 years I had with my brother!” Wow! Our Lord was so gracious to my dear brother to be able to say those words instead of falling into a deep depression or shaking his fist and blaming God. I believe Hebrews 4:16 sums it all up for us perfectly: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” He gives grace freely to those who asked, and we know about His amazing grace as we abide in Him. It is those who have a deep fellowship with our Savior who experience his timely grace. Lord, help us to abide!