THE AGES TO COME

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of
works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Devotion 14 of 17

AGES IN TIME, #1

" . . . that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us . . . "

The surpassing riches of God's grace has been a legacy for the faithful down through the ages. Myriads of souls have been upheld by the recollection of the power of His grace as seen in others. Think of the people changed by the grace of God--people whose influence lives on among the sons of men, challenging, comforting, and cheering them!

Enoch

Enoch maintained Divine fellowship in a decadent generation, and in relative isolation. He walked with God when it was not fashionable to do so. He walked so close to God that he uttered a prophecy that applied to the Noahic flood, but was as far reaching as the second coming of Christ (Jude 14-15). He was one of only two men that did not die, the other being Elijah. He was translated to be with the Lord without the experience of death (Heb 11:5). Behind that singular experience is this testimony: "he pleased God" (Heb 11:5). What marvelous grace that noble saint experienced!

Noah

"Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord," and was thus kept through the only global flood that has ever, or ever will, occur on the earth. Like Enoch, Noah "walked with God" (Gen 6:9) when it was not fashionable to do so. He also did this without the advantage of Scripture, the remission of sin as we have it in Christ, or the gift of the Holy Spirit, which was not yet "given" (John 7:39).

Abraham

Though dwelling among idolaters, and one himself, Abraham was separated by God to become the "father of many nations" (Gen 17:4-5). When the whole world was steeped in moral and spiritual darkness, he was called "the friend of God" (James 2:23). He hoped when there was no apparent reason to hope; when it was against all human logic to do so (Rom 4:18). Oh, what powerful things are wrought through the grace of God! As it is written, "Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace" (Rom 4:16).

Joseph

Though young, and without a single colleague, Joseph survived in a strange country, and under unjust circumstances. He did not understand the language of the country in which he found himself (Psa 81:5), but he knew God and maintained moral purity with all of the circumstances apparently aligned against him. He could not make himself accountable to any fellow believer, but kept the faith alone. He was sustained by grace under circumstances in which few have been known to survive.

Moses

In spite of a ruler's determination to exterminate all Hebrews babies, Moses survived the initiative when others did not. Caring parents and the watchful eye and wise words of a sister were used by God to spare the unusual infant. Moses was even raised in the house of the ruler of an enemy nation--something it would take a lot of grace to do. After leaving that nation in preference of the people of God, he was lifted from obscurity to unparalleled leadership. It is written, "The Law was given by Moses" (John 1:17).

Child of God, do you doubt you can be sustained by the matchless grace of God? Your circumstances are not as challenging as those of Enoch, Noah, Joseph, and Moses -- and God made them equal to what they faced. Do not doubt that He can do the same with you. Jesus said it, and it is so true: "My grace is sufficient for YOU!" (2 Cor 12:9).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, open my eyes to see something of the magnitude of Your grace. Turn my heart and my eyes from the difficulties of life to the sufficiency of Your grace.

-- TOMORROW: AGES IN TIME, #2 --