Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
2023 was a tough year for me. I was playing pickleball. I had already hurt my back a little bit. It was sore and I went for a shot and I threw my back out. I had over 20 chiropractic adjustments and MRI therapy, tons of rehab. That year that I saw not only how physically weak I am, but I saw how spiritually weak I am. I had to look to the sufficient never-ending grace and love of Christ. Our Verse of the Day touches on some of these very same principles.
It's John chapter 1, verse 16. It says, "From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another."
Jesus as the Son of God
The book of John is all about Jesus as the Son of God. The purpose of John is John chapter 20, verse 31: "These things I have written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you may have life in His name." John starts out with the amazing person of Jesus Christ: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him."
Now, far from a distant figure in history, verse 16 moves from the historical reality of Jesus Christ and His glory to our personal experience of the Lord Jesus Christ. God's not a puddle to draw from. He is a never-ending stream of grace.
Two Encouraging Truths
In John chapter 1, verse 16, our Verse of the Day, there are two encouraging truths that show God's irresistible, unending, eternal resources that are for you and for me. Number one, Christ's resources are inexhaustible. The verse says, "From His abundance we have all received." The New American Standard Version says, "For of His fullness we have all received." You can't get any more full than fullness, and He is infinite fullness for us.
Jesus is not a dried-up stream. He is a boundless, never-ending waterfall, and you and I will never deplete His supply. Second, He's not only inexhaustible, but Christ provides continuous supplies of grace. That's what that little phrase means—grace upon grace, or one gracious blessing after another. I love this, again, Jesus Christ is not a dried-up stream. If John chapter 1, verse 14 says, "Jesus is full of grace and truth," then we can constantly draw from Him.
Draw Grace for Right Now
As I record this, I don't need the grace that I needed this morning. I need the grace given to me right now. Just like you need the same grace for you right now to listen. We have an amazing Savior who continuously supplies the grace of God for us.
Let me give you two quick points of application, if I may. Number one, trade your emptiness for His infinite supply. I was worried and stressed because of all my physical issues that I had, and it really showed me that spiritually, I really needed God. I had fears and anxieties. What if God is not enough? God showed me the greatness of my weakness spiritually, which was a doorway into seeing the fullness of the greatness of God. It's a lesson I think we learn in different ways throughout our life. Bring your emptiness for His absolute sufficiency and fullness.
I love what Hebrews chapter 4 says: "Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace—well-timed help in all of our needs."
Trade Today's Worries for Tomorrow's Grace
Secondly, trade today's worries for tomorrow's grace. The Bible says His grace is sufficient and tomorrow always belongs to God. We can't extract tomorrow into today. We have today's grace. Grace upon grace is given to us and all that we need. I love Lamentations chapter 3, verses 22 and 23: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness."
You need grace. God gives you ocean-loads of grace. When you start to run out, He has another ocean load for you. Let's trust Jesus. He has all the grace you need now and forever.
