Daily PresenceSample

Alas, Jacob! In Genesis 32:28, in the throes of life-threatening trials and after an all-night wrestling match with God, God blessed Jacob for his persistence “because [Jacob had] struggled with God and with humans and [had] overcome.” The forces and circumstances coming against Jacob in this portion of the narrative were epic! What measure of grace enabled Jacob to emerge victorious amid the overwhelming circumstances that confronted him? How was Jacob rewarded for his determination and persistence? How do we relate Jacob’s narrative in this portion of Genesis to the day before us?

Poring through my portfolio this evening for a devotional thought that responds to those questions, I came to this verse I drafted over a decade ago. This piece provides a thoughtful devotion for this day . . . or any day, really.

Be not

Righteous in

My own eyes–

Do unto

Others as I would have them . . .

For the Father has promised

Victory to the humble

(not the religious)

Those

In whose hearts

Praise leaps up for grace

Free

To the human race.

In sum, our Creator calls us to live righteously (as opposed to self-righteously) before others, to live victoriously with an attitude of humility, and to praise the Almighty for the freedom of His grace. The rich imagery of praise leaping up for grace also suggests worship as an appropriate response to the Father’s promise.

And what happens when our heart leaps up in worship, praising God for the freedom of His grace? We are humbled, yet we are victorious! So may this be our plea today to the heavenly Father, that our hearts will overflow with gratitude for the grace that He provides for us to live victoriously amid the circumstances of our lives, through the dark, dangerous passages as well as the sun-lit hours of delight.

And then may worship erupt as we respond to His enabling grace!