A Spectacle Of Glory #303

Read: Jonah 2:8, NIV 1984

Today’s Scripture reads, “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” We probably do this every day. We forfeit grace—sweet favor from heaven—that could have been ours. It’s there for us, wrapped up in a beautiful package with a bow on top—strength, patience, endurance, supernatural insight, miraculous provision, and providential timing. The grace of God is abundantly available to us every day, but all too often we forfeit it, give it up, and let it go in order to invest in personal idols. What idols? It might be the idol of food, alcohol, TV, computer games, sports, Facebook, or certain relationships. When these things—not sinful in themselves—replace the time we might have spent seeking God in His Word and in prayer, we lose the grace that could have been ours. But when we loosen our grip on these things and stop clinging to them, we find the capacity and ability to accept His grace, letting it fill our hearts and minds.

Lord, it’s no small thing to forfeit Your blessing on my life. I know there are days when I value certain comforts or preoccupations above time with You. It seems like a good decision at the time, but what have I lost? What have I forfeited? How I need Your grace! I want nothing less than the full measure today.