THE LORD'S GRACE AND PRESENCE

2 Timothy 4:22

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all. 2 Timothy 4:22

In a world of a million emails and posts a day, it is easy to close our written thoughts without any salutation at all. However, from time to time, we should take the opportunity to stop and add in a blessing such as Paul has here. It is a nice touch in conveying that the person, or people, we are addressing have meaning to us, and that we desire they be blessed with the blessing of the Lord. We need no more to make us happy, than to have the Lord Jesus Christ within our spirits, for in Him all spiritual blessings are summed up.

It is the best prayer we can offer for our friends, that the Lord Jesus Christ may be with their spirits, to sanctify and save them, and at last to receive them to Himself. Many who believed as Paul did, are now before the throne, giving glory to their Lord. May we be followers of them. The very last words we have from the apostles pen make up a prayer that the Lord's grace would be with Timothy and, indeed, with all Christians.

From the moment of conversion to our dying breaths, we are absolutely dependent on the grace of God to justify us and preserve us in salvation unto our final reward. Just as the Father and His grace were with Paul throughout many dangers, toils, and snares, so too can we count on His presence and sustaining power in all circumstances.

As Matthew Henry writes: "Since "grace is with us here to convert and change us, to make us holy, to keep us humble, and to enable us to persevere to the end, glory will crown us hereafter." We often speak of the Lord's grace in converting us, but we should never forget that our dependence on His grace never ends. When we sin, we lean on His grace to forgive and restore us. His grace assures us we will never go through anything beyond our ability to handle it.

Inimitation of our father, we should show grace to others, forgiving their offenses against us. We should also overlook their faults just as God bears patiently with us!!!

Father, thank You for this day and the joy that fills our heart with Your love today. Lord, let the floodgates of heaven pour out Your abundant blessings over my friends and family today. Lord, thank You for being marvelous in all ways. Lord, thank You for Your grace that You lavish upon us each day. Lord, we deserve nothing from You, and yet You have given us all things, even to overflowing abundance. Lord, we thank You for Your sure and eternal promises and we praise You ceaselessly for what lies ahead. Yes, Lord, we give praises to You now and forevermore. Lord, use my friends to be a blessing that someone needs today.

Father, we love You. Amen.