Sustained by Sovereign Grace – Forever

Not grace to bar what is not bliss
Nor flight from all distress—but this...
The grace that orders our trouble and pain
And then in the darkness is there to sustain.

—Pastor John Piper

Life is a roller coaster. There are many ups and downs. But sometimes the downs seem quite a bit more plentiful. My past week has been one of those “down” weeks. It has not been a pleasant week.

Jeremiah 38:32–41

And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me. I will rejoice in doing them good, and I will plant them in this land in faithfulness, with all my heart and all my soul.

But my God loves me. My God wants to remind me that He is in total control. And today God said, “Don’t worry. I’ve got your back. You’re fine.” I’m one of those folks who needs to hear that quite often—and today I heard it again.

I played bass and drums with Remembrance today in a concert at the First Church of the Nazarene in Front Royal, Virginia. It was a good concert—with the obvious movement of God’s Holy Spirit. The pastor gave some wonderful, encouraging and inspiring words about God’s sovereign grace over our lives. The family that makes up the majority of Remembrance has opened their arms and their doors to our family. God, you are wonderful. Thank you for your grace—grace that in the darkness is there to sustain.

Pastor John Piper’s thoughts on Sustaining Grace.