God Promises Grace to You

Psalm 28:8-9 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9 Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.
 
SEVEN promises are in these two verses: 1) The LORD chooses his own people. 2) The LORD is his people’s  strength. 3) The LORD anoints people to his purpose. 4) The LORD is a fortress for his anointed – chosen – ones. 5) The LORD saves his people. 6) The LORD blesses his people to be his inheritance. 7) The LORD shepherds his people to carry them forever. Why does he do these wonderful things for his people? It is his goodness to do so even though there is no good thing within the human heart. That’s why you must always thank God it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. (Ephesians 2:8)
   Yes, God gifts you grace. Grace is of God’s eternal character. Grace is a catalyst for all history to unfold under God’s sovereign authority. From the moment God said, “Let there be light.” And there was light. (Genesis 1:3) grace has moved the world to God’s purpose.
   Grace is so powerful, it enables us to have a relationship with God. When sin entered into mankind’s heart, the Father administered his grace to his children. He had told Adam, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” (Genesis 2:16b-17). But when they ate of the tree, the LORD preserved Adam’s and Eve’s lives for many years. Why? Our gracious God had a plan. From this couple came the Son of Man, who would be God’s fortress of salvation for his people.
   By grace, God also cared for Adam’s and Eve’s immediate needs: Genesis 3:21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. He did not have to allow the couple to live. He did not have to promise a Savior. He did not have to clothe them in their shame. The Creator wanted his creation to know he delivers grace – our undeserved blessing – to us. All he commands in return is our worshipful, grateful hearts.
   When you read through the Bible, you’ll clearly understand that it is by grace God called Abraham and Sarah to begin Israel. Through that nation the LORD repeatedly demonstrated he is the strength of his people. Israel had no means to gain freedom from Egypt and settle in their own land without God’s gracious power upon them. Perhaps that’s why God grew Israel in Egypt. Israel needed to know God was their fortress of salvation for his anointed ones.
   As God’s church, we, too, must recognize that by God’s grace he calls us to 1) be his people 2) receive God’s strength 3) be anointed to God’s purpose 4) know God is our fortress 5) be our salvation. 6) be blessed as his own possession 7) follow the shepherd who carries us forever. By his grace God is actively saving, transforming, loving and protecting.
   What is your response? Do you worship the God, who has given you the undeserved blessing of eternal life?