Grace and humility

Years ago, someone wrote a book entitled, “Grace is not a Blue-eyed Blonde” with intention to clear up the meaning of biblical grace. This word does have several definitions. It is said to be ‘God’s undeserved kindness’ or ‘God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.’ My favorite is: ‘a revelation of Jesus Christ that produces a changed life.’

This definition fits my experience of salvation; God opened my heart to realize who Jesus is and what He has done in such a way that I was born anew. It also fits the daily experience of living by grace, growing more like Jesus as He reveals Himself to me through His Word and through my relationship with Him.

The book of job illustrates this definition too. Job had many troubles. He did not know that he was a battleground. Satan challenged the Lord saying if Job was not blessed by God, the faith that God gave him would crumble. God gave this evil being access to do whatever he wanted, only he was not allowed to take Job’s life.

Throughout his trial, Job had no idea what was going on in the spiritual realm. He only knew that he lost everything except his wife and his life. At first, he accepted that God’s hand was on him, but when his three friends began accusing him, things changed. They said he must have done something to deserve this treatment and was being punished. Job knew that was not true and defended himself. However, he became frustrated with their arguments and dangerously close to accusing God of wrong-doing.

In the end, God spoke to him. Here is part of the conversation:

And the Lord said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:1–5)

Then Job answered the Lord and said: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1–6)

Job’s attitude of humility came when his eyes saw God, a sovereign act of grace. This ‘seeing’ was not necessarily literal, but the presence of God was so real to him that he used those words. This revelation of God changed Job and moved him to humility.

David experienced the same thing after his sin was uncovered and forgiven. He described the change of heart and said: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17)

For us, the ultimate revelation of God comes through Jesus Christ. The New Testament says things like:

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17–18)

Being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ is the destiny of those who believe in Him. As we gaze upon His glory and worship His holy name, we are both humbled and exalted, humbled because we realize who He is and that we are unworthy of His love. Yet we are exalted because we are brought close to Him in that humble state: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

God’s prophets foretell this grace will happen when Jesus comes the second time —in seeing Him, people will be broken and transformed:

“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.” (Zechariah 12:10)

Brokenness isn’t the best feeling in the world. Having a contrite heart runs contrary to pride and that ‘self-confidence’ that is supposed to characterize ‘successful’ people. However, it is in this condition that God changes lives. The wisest man said, “Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.” (Ecclesiastes 7:3)

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Jesus, I’ve not been fond of feeling broken or contrite, but I realize why these attitudes are necessary to faith. When I think I am important, or self-sufficient, or have merit in myself, I immediately stop trusting You and stop the process of being transformed into Your likeness. Being humble and sorry for my sin keeps me in the right attitude before You.

Rejoicing in helplessness

For a long time now I’ve noticed how often my prayers involve telling God how to solve the problems I bring before Him. My words are formed as requests, but on closer examination, they are more like suggestions, even orders.

For instance, someone has been in a terrible car accident and is injured. I might pray for rapid recovery, or that God is with her in her pain, or that the doctors make wise decisions about treating the injuries. These are good thoughts, but do I really know the plan of God in all of it? Maybe she will stay injured, like Joni Erickson Tada whose injuries became part of her incredible ministry. If she is a Christian, God is always with her, pain or not. And so it goes.

This week I started rereading O. Hallesby’s classic on prayer. The first chapter points out that it is our helplessness that God hears. He answers our cries like a father who comes to the aid of a struggling child or a mother who hears the cries of her infant. He listens for that total dependence on Him to do something about the problem, not for the child’s uninformed plan for a solution.

At times I wonder who I think I am. Can I understand the plan of God or explain Him? What about the childlike faith of Noah who was asked to build a ship on dry land? Did he suggest to God a better way or a solution that made more sense?

What about Abraham who was asked to offer up his only son? He obeyed without suggesting alternatives that would be less difficult. He never told God what to do, not even in this. No wonder he is called the father of faith.

Then there was Joshua who is told to besiege Jericho seven days, using no weapons but the blasts of rams’ horns and the marching of his soldiers. This problem was large enough without this seemingly silly command from God for the solution. Yet Joshua did not argue, nor did his army mock God’s plan.

The saints of old acted upon God’s commands contrary to the dictates of human reasoning. Job, perhaps an exception for a time, experienced horrendous loss without any explanation from God. Although he had moments of clarity and faith, he complained and moaned, suggesting to God that He should at least explain Himself.

God then asked him things like, “Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like His?” (Job 40:9) He also pointed to the majesty of creation with the same question — Can you do this?  Then Job answered Him saying, 

I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?” Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. “Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.” I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:1–6)

He realized his helplessness and joined others in trusting God, regardless of the things that seemed like impossible problems, and stopped telling Him how to “fix” them.

I had a family experience yesterday that I cannot write about. However, I can say that I felt entirely helpless and clueless. In that frame of mind, I held up the problems to God, not knowing or seeing any way this could be solved. God’s answer was not only a surprise but an astonishment. Hallesby is right; God hears the cries of the helpless, but that is only one part of it. Those who are helpless need to cry out in faith. God is God.

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Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. (Jeremiah 32:17) You can do exceedingly abundantly above all that I can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20), so instead of me imagining or telling You how to answer, help me to remember that everything is too hard for me — but nothing is too hard for You.