Beginning Again with Grace - Your Nightly Prayer - December 31st
Beginning Again with Grace
Your Nightly Prayer
by Clarence Haynes Jr.
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
SOMETHING TO PONDER
A few years ago, I had the chance to play golf with a group of friends. After taking a few golf lessons and spending some time at the range, I was excited because this would be my first time playing a “real” course. I put real in quotes because this was a public course in NYC, not a pristine, world-class course like Augusta National. Let’s just say many of the tee areas had no grass and were all dirt, so it tells you the quality of the course. Nevertheless, it was exciting for me.
During this time, I discovered what a mulligan is. For you non-golfers out there, a mulligan is when you hit a terrible shot, and you may try the shot again without penalty. Also, the previous shot does not count against your score. Of course, this does not happen in professional golf. However, in the casual, usually bad type of golf I play, I need every mulligan I can get.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul gives us a wonderful picture of the result of God’s grace, which I would call the ultimate mulligan. When we get saved and are in Christ, he makes us a brand-new creation. He does not attempt to glue you together or make you a patched-up, better version of yourself. Instead, he makes a brand new you, one that never existed before you were in Christ. That is the ultimate do-over if there ever was one.
God’s Grace Allows for New Beginnings
One beautiful aspect of God’s grace is that it does not just allow for new beginnings the moment you are saved. God’s grace allows for new beginnings all the time. These new beginnings are available daily. Every time you sin and repent, there is an opportunity for a new beginning.
It is critical to differentiate between how the world and sometimes the church view this when compared to how God views this. Many times, we approach God’s grace like Peter when he asked Jesus, “How many times should I forgive my brother who sins against me?” (Matt. 18:21) Peter, thinking he was being generous, said seven. If you are familiar with the story, you know Jesus said not seven times but seventy times seven. (Matt.18:22) This means God’s grace will always allow for forgiveness whenever there is repentance. The world may tire of giving second chances, and sometimes the church feels like it is ready to run out of mercy, but God never does. His grace is a constant invitation to begin again, regardless of how many times you may fall.
Grace for A New Year
I want you to think about this past year. I can say with assurance that there were choices you made you were proud of, and some you made that would cause you to hang your head in shame. Sometimes you even struggle because you can’t escape the choices you made. This is when you need to lean into God’s grace. Humbly approach his throne (it’s no irony, it’s called the throne of grace), and when you do, you will find his grace to help you in your time of need. When you receive his grace, you can begin again.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father,
Thank you for your grace. I don’t know where I would be without it. As I think through this past year, I recognize I need more of your grace in my life. Your grace not only allows for new beginnings, but your grace strengthens me for the journey ahead. As I approach this new year, allow me to know you more intimately, to feel the assurance of your forgiveness, and to walk confidently in the new creation you’ve made me to be. Help me release the weight of my past mistakes, knowing you have made all things new. Let this year be the greatest revelation of grace I have ever experienced in my life. I thank you for this.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Grace is not just necessary to come to Christ; it is necessary to live for Christ.
2. None of us is a byproduct of our greatness; we are all byproducts of his grace.
3. Grace is never something you earn but something you must freely receive.
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Alvaro Moreno Perez
He is the author of The Pursuit of Purpose, which helps readers understand how God leads them into his will, and the author of The Pursuit of Victory: How To Conquer Your Greatest Challenges and Win In Your Christian Life. Clarence is also committed to helping 10,000 people learn how to study the Bible and has released his first course, Bible Study Basics, to achieve that goal. To learn more about his ministry and resources, please visit clarencehaynes.com.
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