Time for Grace – October 19, 2024

Time for Grace – October 19, 2024

Psalm 67:1-3 

May God be gracious to us and bless us. May his face shine on us—so that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. May the peoples praise you, O God. May the peoples praise you—all of them.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for being gracious and blessing us; however, too often, we read these words and only consider earthly blessings. More important than those temporal blessings are your spiritual gifts. Your face shines on us through your salvational plan when you sent your Son, our Savior, to redeem us of all our sins. In faith, we hold onto your love and forgiveness; it is astounding when someone says they don’t believe in you or dismiss your Word as made up. So we ask you to be with them to overcome their unawareness of you so they learn about your love and forgiveness for them.

For all of us, our sins are grave; each sentences us to eternal condemnation. John recorded Jesus’ words, “Whoever does not believe is condemned already.” Without faith, a person is eternally separated from you because of their sins. You are holy, and for any of us to be in your presence, we also have to be perfect; our sins must be removed, so Jesus paid the infinite price for our sins with his holy life and innocent suffering and death on the cross. Every sin was paid in full, and he also covered us with his righteousness. So when you see us, you see Jesus’ perfection, and his suffering has forgiven and removed our sins. This gift of forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life comes to us by faith in Jesus.

We praise you for delivering salvation to us, just as Jesus said, “Whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” May all the peoples praise You—please give us confidence, and allow us to share the good news of Your love and forgiveness with those who do not know You so that they will believe and trust in Jesus, they will praise You for their salvation and eternal life that becomes theirs for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Written through Pastor Roger Emmons

It is incredible when God’s face shines on you, knowing, believing, and trusting that Jesus has forgiven all your sins. Eternal life and salvation come through faith in Jesus’ salvational work.