Grace For the Moment

Corrie Ten Boom shares,

"When I was a little girl, " I said, "I went to my father and said,
"Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ."
"Tell me," said Father,
"When you take a train trip to Amsterdam,
when do I give you the money for the ticket?
Three weeks before?"

"No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."

"That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength.
Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.
He will supply all you need – just in time…"

I find this story encouraging and comforting, not only because of the truthful promise found in it but because it brings to mind the countless times God has given me what I like to call, "grace for the moment".

I've spoken Lamentations 3:22-23 to myself on many occasions- "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." The reality of that Truth brings so much joy and peace to my weak soul. I find hope in remembering that God strengthens my days through His grace and mercy and lavishes upon me His unending love every day anew.

But it goes even further than that. God has promised to give me GRACE for EVERY situation that I encounter. But you see, what I fail to remember, is that He promises to give it to me when I need it. How often I try and borrow grace for the future, today. I look to an event, problem or situation in the future and try to ponder how it will play out or work out today. The result? Worry, fear, and overwhelming anxiety. If only I had listened to my Savior's words in Matthew 6:34, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." We must live in TODAY and rely on the Lord's grace He has given us for that day, for that moment, and trust that He will equip where HE calls.

Although I may not be facing martyrdom as Corrie was, I can learn from the wisdom she shares; God will give us the grace we need for the moment. He will never lead us where HE won't guide. He will never ask of us where He will not provide. He will never allow us to suffer, hurt, or despair more than we can bear. And he will never call without equipping us. Our God is good. He is faithful. He is PERFECT in ALL His ways. We must rest in that reality and rest in the grace He has given us for that moment; always trusting He'll supply all we need WHEN we need it. "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."- Philippians 4:19