Desperate for Grace

The pseudo-Spanish word desperado means “desperate” and the English connotation is of a reckless bandit, particularly in the Old West. While very few folks fall into the category of desperadoes, everyone is desperate for something. Some are desperate to find the love of their lives. Others are desperate to get ahead in their jobs. As Christians we should be different and you might think we should be desperate for nothing.

But those who are truly desperate for God—for His presence, not just His blessings—are rewarded with more of Him. When Moses, the man God chose to lead His people out of bondage, cried out, “Show me Your glory,” God answered by revealing more of Himself to Moses. The experience was one few people ever have.  David cried out again and again to enter into God’s presence and God pronounced him a man after His own heart. And Peter when pressed by Jesus to know if he wanted to stop following Him, responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

God does not need our talents, our intellect, or our good intentions. What He needs are people who are so desperate for Him they go to the cross and empty themselves that they might be filled with Christ’s love and grace and mercy.

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

He Makes Me Sing

I remember after Momma died wondering how long it would be before I felt like laughing or singing again. I felt the same way two weeks ago when Daddy died. That may seem a strange thought, but both singing and laughing were huge parts of my relationships with my parents.  I remember hearing Momma’s beautiful soprano filling the house with music when I would come in from school in the afternoons.  And I always loved hearing Daddy’s rich bass singing in church every Sunday.

In His infinite goodness, God gave me some things to laugh about fairly quickly after He called Daddy home and much to my surprise, I felt like singing almost immediately.  Of course it is easier to do both knowing my parents are safe and whole with the Lord.  But today as we sang the old hymn “Fairest Lord Jesus,” the line “who makes the woeful heart to sing” leapt off the page at me. I realized what a gift God has given me to be able to sing so soon after Daddy’s death.  Because of His great love and mercy to us, we can sing His praises even when our hearts are broken. And for me, singing brings great healing.

Like the psalmist, I declare:  “I will sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me.” (Psalm 13:6)