If I asked you to hum the melody of Amazing Grace, it’s likely you would know it. It’s a well-known song that reminds us about God’s astonishing forgiveness. His grace gave us spiritual sight when we were blind—allowing us to draw near to Him. God’s grace makes us shiver in reverence of Him, but it also eases our fears. As the song says, God’s grace is truly amazing!
While we marvel at the wonders of God, it’s interesting that Jesus once marveled at a person’s faith. In one instance, a Roman officer approached Jesus and explained that his servant was bedridden and in severe pain. Jesus volunteered to visit the soldier’s house and heal the man. But the centurion felt he wasn’t worthy of Jesus’ visit, and believed He could heal his servant without being present (Matthew 8:8). “When Jesus heard this, He was amazed” (Matthew 8:10). Then He commended the solider for his great faith, and confirmed that He had made the patient well.
What keeps us from amazing Jesus with our faith? Without even knowing it, we sometimes believe that the laws of nature and time limit His power. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus is the One who created time and the scientific constants that help us understand our world. “Through [Christ] God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we . . . can’t see . . . and He holds all creation together” (Colossians 1:16-17).
According to the Bible, Jesus can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants. He has the power to heal us physically and give us spiritual life. God has revealed His incredible grace through His Son (2 Timothy 1:9-10). If He’s amazed you with His grace, will you amaze Him with your faith?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 4:1-17
More:
Look up Romans 5:20-21 to see the relationship between God’s grace and our sin.
Next:
What amazes you the most about God? Have you ever experienced a miracle, and if so, what impact did it have on your faith in Him?
conmeo on May 5, 2017 at 8:47 am
Hi Jennifer, thank you for this important devotion. I am amazed by God by the faith He produces in those you might think least likely to become faithful. It is also the largest impact it has on my very own faith and a reminder that I am in His hands and always under construction particularly in times when all seems dark like today. I know in these times He is the light beaming brightly in whatever the circumstance to grow my faith and the be thankful for the love mercy and grace He bestows so abundantly. A miracle indeed!
jennifer schuldt on May 5, 2017 at 9:06 pm
conmeo, As you spoke about darkness and light, I thought of a verse in Psalm 139. “…even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you [God], the night shines as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you” (v.12). It’s a relief to know that God is still with us, even in the dark times we face. It may be harder for us to see Him, but He has no problem seeing us.
conmeo on May 5, 2017 at 9:44 pm
Thank you Jennifer, you have hit on one of my favorite OT verses! I have been at ODJ here for a very long time and I am amazed at the lampstands the Lord provides for His amazing lamp. You are one! Praise Him for His blessings to all of us here at ODJ! By the way, a good friend of mine, a mission Pastor at a rural country Church used to post this on a sign outside the Church about missing brothers and sisters ….”where’s Gary Shulz”? Miss you brother! You are in our prayers of thanksgiving …daily!
Tom Felten on May 5, 2017 at 9:02 am
Jen, I remember finding a man weeping in his chair following a church service. His face wet with tears, he confessed that he had finally understood and received God’s grace. He was an older man now and had been a believer for many, many years. Though he had been known to be a tough disciplinarian (his relationship with his kids suffered for it), he was now truly drinking deep of God’s grace for the first time. May we drink deep of God’s grace today, and experience the peace and joy that only He can bring to our hearts.
jennifer schuldt on May 5, 2017 at 9:00 pm
Tom, this story illustrates such an important moment of awakening. It’s odd how we can be Christians for years, and mature in some areas, yet not very developed in others. Understanding God’s grace is a profound mixture of being humbled and uplifted at the same time.
sandy229 on May 5, 2017 at 9:31 am
Amazing love, how can it be, that You my God would die for me. I am amazed at everything He created and things we don’t see but we know He created them. Every time we go to the mountains, we see more of His creation and we see things we didn’t see before because there are so many little details, so vast and awesome. It’s amazing how He knows all the stars by name because He created them. Most amazing is that He loves us so much He sent His Son to die for us while we were sinners, and knew everything about us before we were born. There is so much we don’t yet understand, but we know He does for us things we think are impossible. I have seen first hand how He answers prayer when things seem impossible, yet He makes it possible. We shouldn’t be surprised when He does what He says He will do, but it just amazes me every time.
jennifer schuldt on May 5, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Beautiful thoughts, and so true. Amen!
conmeo on May 5, 2017 at 9:13 pm
Thank you Sandy really heartfelt and resonates….the lord fills us through sisters and brothers like you.
goodfather123 on May 5, 2017 at 10:01 am
I am a miracle! When we were babies, I, charles, and my brother, chris was very sick, we were supposed to be born in October, but was born early in June! Doctors said we would not make it, but we ended up, out of the majority of the baby’s born early, I and by brother was the only ones sent home! By Gods amazing Grace, we are alive today, saved, on our way to heaven, and growing daily in our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! He is so awesome!
sandy229 on May 5, 2017 at 10:18 am
Wow, that truly is amazing! By God’s amazing grace, you are here today to tell your story! Thanks for sharing that with us. God is so awesome!!
jennifer schuldt on May 5, 2017 at 8:53 pm
Thank you for sharing this encouraging example of God’s grace! Reflecting on our lives helps us see how God has worked in the past. This builds our faith as we consider what we hope He will do in the future!