“It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace” (Heb.13:9). “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet.3:18).
Lord Jesus, your Word contains zero errors, but saying it’s “good” for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, I would have used words like “bodaciously” essential, more important than blood and oxygen, or the greatest privilege we have this side heaven. Because grace isn’t a something; it’s a some on—namely you.
Indeed, what will it profit us if we only eat heart-healthy foods, walk 50 miles a week, have a cholesterol level of 125 and a resting heart rate of 52 and yet have an intimacy-lite relationship with you? So what if we can easily play 3 hours of pickleball but get “winded” after 10 minutes of spending time enjoying your presence in the Word, prayer, and worship?
As the Apostle Paul wrote, “physical training definitely has value; but godliness (growth in grace) has value for both this life and the life to come” (1 Tim. 4:8). So lead us to the grace-gym—the training table, sauna, spa, the regimen which will cause our hearts to grow in our whole-hearted, whole-being, whole-schedule love for you. As Asaph nailed it. “Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.” (Ps.73:25)
The more our hearts are “strengthened by grace” the more they will beat for your glory and find their joy in you. We’ll have less room for fear, hurry, and criticism. We’ll repent quicker, forgive deeper, and laugh louder. We’ll throw more Gospel-parties and fewer pity-parties.
We’ll be more generous with our time, talents, and treasures. We’ll hoard fewer resentments, grudges, and irritants. May it be so with us all the way Home. So Very Amen.
