Grace: More Than Enough

This is the ninth and final in a weekly series of mini-devotionals on GRACE, which is the theme of the 2012 June 2 Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals. We have prayed for Jon over the years. He has been estranged, then reunited with his dad, Louis. He and his girlfriend had a baby. Then they moved back to where he had lived previously. He returned to drugs and alcohol.One day, high on drugs, he drove erratically down the highway. And caused a crash in which a woman was killed. He will probably spend the rest of his life in prison.Louis was devastated. How could this happen? Heartbroken. Is there no future for my son?But days and weeks on his knees and in the Word, and Louis found peace. He writes:   “God's majesty shrinks at no one's behavior. Everything we know is for God. He uses every last thread of our lives. How he uses it? We only get to participate, not know exactly his will at any particular time... “God’s grace was sufficient for Louis.But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)God’s grace is enough.These brief nine devotionals have perhaps (hopefully) opened up some new aspects and understanding of God’s grace for you. We looked at some definitions of grace, at who qualifies—those with no alibi, at how amazing it is, and how grace stoops to serve. We considered the voice of grace, the forgiveness of grace, the scandal of grace, and the grace-full Father.We have barely scratched the surface on the height and width and depth of God’s grace. I have not intended to be exhaustive on this incomprehensible topic. But there are a few more things I want to mention.Grace is an undeserved free gift, undeserved favor, and undeserved love.And it is more than enough for any person, circumstance, tragedy, need.God’s grace has made His love and salvation and provision—everything He offers—available to us. There is a catch. In order to live in it, we must receive it. And he gives us a little understanding of who will be able to truly access and experience that grace:Those who are humble.But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)This truth is repeated several times, and it is the first step toward accepting God's grace--to understand that you don't deserve it.But that grace is abundantly sufficient.We are saved by graceFor by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)God freely gives the grace that save us—we can not earn salvation. And it is that same freely given grace that will save our prodigals. Keeping the rules, doing the right things, not doing the wrong things—none of this will save us or them.Only grace is sufficient to save us.Grace enables good worksAnd God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)The good works, doing the right thing, not doing the wrong thing—these all matter and are desirable. But we can’t live that perfect life ourselves.Only grace is enough to enable us to live like Jesus.And today, when my son told me of another marriage conflict, my emotions took over. And at first I didn’t access that grace to speak kindly and to believe the best. Then God reminded me of what I had just been writing—the words above…And His grace was more than enough.What about you?  Where have you found God's sufficient grace?c2012 Judy DouglassIf you would like more information, to request prayer for a prodigal, or to join our full-of-grace community, please write to prayerforprodigalsatgmaildotcom with your questions or names, or for an invitation. June 2 is our Worldwide Day of Prayer for Prodigals.