Fierce Grace

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
 -2 Corinthians 12:8-9-

     This print has long been a favorite of mine and has long been on the wall of my home. It is called "Fierce Grace" by Tony Stromberg. I find it to be gorgeous, and strangely alluring. The horse, specifically, is mentioned several times throughout the Bible. Perhaps some of the most striking verses are in Job 39:19-22:

"Do you give the horse his strength or clothe his neck with a flowing mane? Do you make him leap like a locust, striking terror with his proud snorting? He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength, and charges into the fray. He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword."

Proverbs 21:31 teaches us, "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."

Are you going through a personal battle right now? Do you know somebody who is battling something that just urges them to admit defeat? Let us learn from the mighty horse. When we are going through trials, we are being made ready for the battle. And look at how the horse is being described - "striking terror with his proud snorting" and "paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength." Ladies, do you remember what Proverbs 31:25, "She is clothed with dignity and laughs with no fear of the future." Just like the horse! The horse also "laughs at fear, afraid of nothing."

When you or someone you know is preparing for their own battle, remind yourself or remind that someone that we are made in the image of our Creator. We are strong, just like the horse. We shouldn't shy away from our challenge. Why? Because once engaged in our challenge, the victory belongs to the Lord. And we do not have a meek Creator. In fact, the Rider on the White Horse (again! the Horse!) is described as:

"...there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" (Revelation 19:11-17, NIV).

Friends, this image should create excitement in your heart! We are all called into battle for Christ, but specifically in our lives, we face challenges each and every day.

Maybe it's the loss of a job, loss of a spouse, divorce, poverty, eviction notices, addiction, squashed dreams, thwarted plans, goals that got slowed down...anything! Whatever is getting you down today, or has gotten you down for some time, remember this:

We are loved by a fierce and grace-giving God.

You are made in His image.

And you are not alone.

You have all the armies of heaven rooting for you and God's Holy Spirit living alive within you. Do not pray that this thing should be taken away from you. Instead, remember his faithfulness and...let faith arise.

Do not fear the future.

Remember what God has already gotten you through in your life.

Take time to thank him with your whole heart.

Open up.

As you let this encouragement soak in, I pray that you receive the fire you need to paw fiercely, rejoicing, not shying away from your challenges, and allow God to prepare you for whatever you will be facing. And do not be afraid. The victory belongs to the Lord.

And He will win it...with fierce grace, and your trust.

Can I get an Amen?!

Faithfully His.