Appreciating Grace

[237 words]

“What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:4, NKJV).

When we take an honest look at ourselves, it is not difficult to identify with the Psalmist’s question. Weakness is a discouraging reality of our human nature. We are all abundantly aware of our own shortcomings, but what is particularly frustrating, is that the stronger we become in faith, the more aware we become as well. Therefore we find ourselves closer to Christ than ever before, but feeling farther away! This is very likely the struggle Paul expressed when he wrote, “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (Romans 7:15). Like many of us, Paul had grown in maturity to the point that he knew better, and that made his weaknesses all the more inexcusable.

But there is another, brighter understanding that comes with maturity. Yes, we do realize how very much God has saved us from, but it also causes us to realize how wonderful that salvation is! As we grow in our appreciation of the depth’s of His awesome love, we begin to understand, in a way like never before, what it means to sing, “Amazing Grace/how sweet the sound/that saved a wretch like me.” Praise be to God that He loved sinners like you and me!