December 7- Romans 1:7, 16:20

THE VERSE

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
~Romans 1:7

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
~Romans 16:20

THE THOUGHT

Paul begins and ends every one of his letters with a remarkably consistent greeting and blessing. Every one of his letters begins with, "Grace [be] to you" and every one of his letters ends with "Grace [be] with you." This is more than just a polite greeting; this consistency reveals the significance of grace-- the undeserved favor of God-- in Paul's thought.

With the opening of every letter comes the blessing, "Grace to you!" Paul's intention is that his inspired letters would be a means of grace to his readers and listeners, that grace would come to us through the Word of God. Therefore in Acts 20, speaking to the Ephesians elders, Paul said, "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace."

But what about when we reach the end of the letter? What will happen to God's grace then? "Grace with you!" is Paul's answer and closing benediction, and is the foundation of our hope for every moment. As you close your Bible, grace with you. As you sit in rush hour traffic, grace with you. As you share Christ with a coworker, grace with you. As you meet each day's challenges, grace with you. As you are dealt a staggering blow of tragedy, grace with you. In every time and every place, in every joy and every sorrow, in all trials and temptations, at home or on the mission field, from the moment of conversion into the farthest reaches of eternity, grace with you.

THE PRAYER

Dear God, Thank you for Your Word that carries Your grace to me every day as I treasure it up in my heart. Let the word of Christ dwell in me richly through Your Holy Spirit, building me up for joyful ministry. And thank you for Your grace with me every moment of every day. Thank you for the cross that covers all my sin and the empty tomb that assures me of Your finished work. Thank you for Your faithful, empowering presence. Thank you that You are Immanuel, God with me, grace with me, forever.

EXTENDED READING

Acts 20:28-32
2 Corinthians 1:1-2
2 Corinthians 13:11-14

THE QUOTE

"The gospel of Christ is the good news that at the cost of His Son’s life, God has done everything necessary to enthrall us with what will make us eternally and ever-increasingly happy, namely, himself." ~John Piper