In 1 Peter 5:12 I read, “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.” (NLT)
I’ll face many pitfalls in the marathon of life. But regardless of what I go through, I can count on God’s sustaining grace.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:12, “My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace” (NLT).
There are times in life when it will be easy for me to stumble, to get cast off to the side of the race, and to not finish well. But in each of these situations, God’s sustaining grace will get me through it.
First, God’s sustaining grace helps me keep standing when I’m tempted. Temptation is the first thing that can cause me to stumble. The Bible says, “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).
God says, “I will provide the sustaining grace to always give me a way of escape.” That way of escape may mean turning the television channel. It may mean running out the door. It may mean changing the way I’m thinking. But God will provide a way to escape temptation.
Secondly, God’s sustaining grace helps me keep standing when I’m tired. Sometimes I’m not tempted. Sometimes I’m just tired! Life is often exhausting. It requires a lot of energy, especially when I’m trying to do the right thing rather than the easy thing.
But where do I get the power to do the right thing when I’m dead tired? “It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NLT). Having the Holy Spirit in my heart gives me the energy to do the things I can’t do in my own power.
Thirdly, God’s sustaining grace gives me the power to keep going when I’m troubled. There are some hurts that all the wishing in the world won’t make go away. Some things in life are unplanned, unrelenting, and undeserved, and they hurt the most.
What do I do in those situations? I first stop doing the “if only” game and instead focus on Christ and his sustaining power. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you” (NCV).
Remember that I’m never alone in life and never without hope. Whether I’m tempted, tired, or troubled, I can count on God’s sustaining grace to uphold me.
In summary, Peter encourages and assures me that what I’m experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for me. So stand firm in this grace. I’ll face many pitfalls, but regardless of what I go through, I can count on God’s sustaining grace. There are times in life when it will be easy for me to stumble, to get cast off to the side of the race, and to not finish well. In each of these situations, God’s sustaining grace will get me through it. First, God’s sustaining grace helps me keep standing when I’m tempted. Temptation can cause me to stumble. The Bible says, “God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure”. God tells me that, “He will provide the sustaining grace to always give me a way of escape.” That way of escape may mean turning the channel, running out the door, or changing the way I’m thinking. But God will provide a way to escape temptation. Secondly, God’s sustaining grace helps me keep standing when I’m tired. Life is often exhausting. It requires a lot of energy, especially when I’m trying to do the right thing rather than the easy thing. But where do I get the power to do the right thing when I’m dead tired? “It is God who enables me to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts”. Having the Holy Spirit in my heart gives me the energy to do the things I can’t do in my own power. Lastly, God’s sustaining grace gives me the power to keep going when I’m troubled. Some things in life are unplanned, unrelenting, and undeserved. When those situations occur, I need to stop doing the “if only” game and instead focus on Christ and his sustaining power. God said in his word, “Don’t worry, because I am with you. Don’t be afraid, because I am your God. I will make you strong and will help you; I will support you with my right hand that saves you”. I’m never alone in life and never without hope. Whether I’m tempted, tired, or troubled, I can count on God’s sustaining grace to uphold me.
Three important things that God’s grace can help me get through, are Temptation than can cause me to stumble, grace to keep standing when I’m tired and grace to keep going when I’m troubled It’s encouraging to know that God provides grace when I’m tempted, tired or troubled. I need to focus on what he provides to get me through. Also as God has provided his sustaining grace to me, I can provide sustaining grace to others. It will be important for me to look to Him, as he will provide the grace I need at the time. Father, I thank you this morning for your grace you provide me. I ask also for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, and my interactions with others. I also pray for patience in the new job role you have for me after my current job ends. These things I pray in your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.
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