Devotion #4: The Grace Giver

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:32-34 

We love stories of heroes. We fawn over them. We clamor for them. We go see them in movies. We love it when good wins over evil. We applaud when there is one that gave their all in order to save the world. Can anyone say Ironman? “Avengers assemble!” 

One of my favorite accounts in the Scripture is when Abraham was called to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis chapter 22. God came to Abraham and told him that he must sacrifice Isaac, the son he loved, to Him. This sounds absurd to me, but it is even deeper. God had promised Abraham that he would be a blessing to the world and that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Isaac was the beginning of that promise and was Abraham’s child of the promise. 

I think about that request from God, and I consider all of the questions and thoughts that would be going through my head: “Are you serious? What are you thinking? I do not think I can do this. I do not want to do this!” 

Scripture tells us that Abraham got up early the next morning and set out to worship God on the mountain with Isaac. He did not waste any time. He took all of the supplies for sacrifice to the Lord. At some point on the journey up the mountain, Isaac notices that there is nothing to sacrifice. He asked his dad about it, and Abraham simply answered, “God will provide” (Genesis 22:8).  

Once at the place of sacrifice, all preparations were made, and when it was time to do what they had come to do, Abraham tied up Isaac and placed him on the altar. Can you picture the scene? Isaac was probably questioning his father. Abraham must have had tear-filled eyes as he raised the knife above his son, ready to obey. At that moment, the Angel of God cried out to Abraham, “STOP!” Abraham’s son was spared, though he was ready to obey God no matter what. He trusted God’s heart. He knew his God.  

We read in Romans that God the Father sent His Son, and His Son was not spared. He gave His life for us. The Father allowed Jesus to be pierced for our transgressions, our offenses before God. He was crushed for our iniquities, our sins. He was whipped and beaten, and He died. Through all of this, we are healed. 

Why do we forget that Jesus is our Messiah in tough times? How easy is it to forget that Jesus is our Hero, our Champion? He did not spare His own life. He came to spare your life and to heal you. He no longer condemns you if you know Him as your Savior. He is the Grace-Giver. 

Will He not then provide for you?  

He does not bring any charges against you anymore. As a son or daughter of God through Jesus, you are in God’s grace, and it never ends. He paid for that grace with His life. Once, you only knew God’s judgment; now, because of Jesus, all you know is His grace. 

Whatever you are going through as you read today, do not forget that God’s grace is sufficient for you. It was bought with Jesus’ life. He is your Hero, and He will never let you down. 

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!