Deuteronomy 24:18 Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.

Remembering where we came from is a very important principle that is repeated many times in the Bible. Without it, we tend to take things for granted and become conceited and heartless, thinking we got to where we are on our own. This is all part of understanding God’s grace. This is particularly a problem when the humble circumstances were a few generations back, as was illustrated many times in the history of Israel and is equally obvious in the world around us today. It can certainly be a problem in the Church, in the short or the long term. Paul put it this way: “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.” (1 Corinthians 1:26) The better we remember God’s grace to us, the easier it is to extend grace to those around us. Paul again has clear words on the subject: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32) When we do that, God’s love flows unhindered among us, and those watching us understand that we belong to Christ. (John 13:35)

Coming from several generations of faithful, Biblical preachers, it gives me pause to think how different things would be now if any of them had rejected God’s grace to them. Frankly, at times I am frustrated with how slow people can be to absorb Biblical principles that seem obvious to me. I need to remember that my ancestors, far enough back, were no better, and that I am the recipient of multiplied grace. I need to remember that among human beings, any comparisons are equivalent to the Japanese proverb of “acorns comparing height.” God is so much greater – and more holy and more every­thing else good – that all such comparisons are essentially meaningless. We are called to be faithful with whatever we have been given, be it much or little. Jesus pointed out that “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48) That really puts me on notice, because I know I have been blessed remarkably, and it is all grace. I am to be a faithful steward of all that has been placed in my hands, (1 Corinthians 4:2) never being proud or boastful but remembering that it is all grace.

Father, thank You for reminding me of this periodically. Help me understand the use You want me to make of each thing You have entrusted to me, all the way down to physical life itself. Help me cling to none of it as though it were mine, but rather offer it freely to You, so that You may make the use of it that You desire and intend, drawing many to Yourself for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!