How Sweet the Sound

Grace. God's Grace. 

Defined as the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. It is underserving mercy, kindness and patience. It is strength, divine help,  and forgiveness from God for our misgivings and our sins.

We need forgiveness for our sins, healing for our ailing bodies and souls, provision for where we lack, strength for our weakness, and light for our path.

God gives them all and more.

"From the fullness of grace, we have all received one blessing 
after another. ~ John 1:16"

Grace. God's Amazing Grace.

Experiencing his grace and glory on a mountain top. 

"Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound." Oh, how I love the words of the age old hymn that touches my soul. John Newton (1725-1807) got it right when he penned the words that speak of soul deliverance, redemption and forgiveness. His life and a series of experiences (along with the prayers of a Christian mother) led him to spiritual conversion and an awakening of his soul. The greatness of God and the impact of this song spans the ages and is evident in the multiple remakes and variations of the song as it has been sung and recorded by many individuals and groups through the years. One arrangement has become a current favorite of mine. I love it when a particular song speaks to my soul and brings the comfort and peace of God and his promises to me. The simplistic beauty and the words of "How Sweet the Sound", by Citizen Way cause me to lift my hands in glorious praise to our wonderful creator! "It's a beautiful, beautiful sound." "Hallelujah, you restore my soul." 

How Sweet the Sound by Citizen Way  (Click here to view and listen.) 

Throughout our lives we face many trials and triumphs, defeats and victories, sorrows and joys. It's sometimes easy for us to forget about God's amazing grace when life is rolling along smoothly and things are going our way. It's when the bricks of our lives come tumbling down around us that we pause and question, "Why?".  It's when the routine and normal and the "what's always been" suddenly changes and sends your life reeling out of control. It is during those times that we are forced to dig deep in search of the strength we need to carry us through. It is during those times that God reminds us that He is the strength we need; that He is the grace that delivers us. His grace covers us always and his blessings abound aplenty, if we just take notice. He simply wants us to raise our hands to Him and praise Him. His blessings are plentiful, especially in the trials of life. 

The past year has brought me many reasons to take notice of His grace. My year has been filled with an abundance of happiness and many reasons to celebrate, including the marriage of my oldest daughter to a young man we are now proud to call "son".  What a glorious day it was. And through the year, we have also had many other celebrations and joyous family events to praise God for, however, in the midst of joy,  I have been dealt some challenges. The normal in life suddenly became abnormal. Things that were easy for me suddenly became very difficult. And so, the past few months have been a struggle of health concerns and a reminder of my human weaknesses in more ways that I like to admit. Through much prayer and lots of medical appointments, I am seeking answers. Answers that elude me. I have found myself often frustrated and wondering why I have been dealt this challenge. What changed and how can I make it better? In my frustration, God frequently reminds me that he is sovereign and that he has my life under control. It is not up to me to figure it out or to "fix it". He reminds me that is His job. He simply wants me to rely on Him. To trust in Him. He will be the one to make it better and to give me the answers. He also reminds me that my new challenges are small. Small by comparison to the challenges I have watched friends and family members endure over this same period of time. He reminds me that HE is my refuge and that he will carry me. He is bigger than all of it. His grace covers me. 

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms. ~ Deut 33:27"

God is my fortress and my deliverer. The Old Testament word for grace is "chesed", which means "deliverance". He delivers me daily from my pain, my afflictions, my sins. The New Testament word for grace is "charis", which mean "provision of salvation." How perfect is that? He delivers us and he provides for us. He is our salvation. Not earned, but given because we have faith. He provides everything we need, always.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith ~ 
and this is not from yourselves,it is a gift of God ... 
~ Eph. 2:8-9"

And so, I continue on in my daily walk with Him. Knowing that his gifts freely flow. His blessings are many, each and every day ~ even in the midst of challenges. We live in a world created by Him. He never promised us that we wouldn't struggle. He never promised us an easy life. What He did promise was that He would care for us, save us, and provide for us if only we would believe. His grace and beauty are plentiful. I look out at this glorious world He designed and I lift my hands in praise to Him that created all. He leaves me breathless in awe and wonder. He daily sends down grace to cover me.

"His grace flows down and covers me... ~ Christy Nockels, "Grace Flows Down"

Seeking and praising Him on the mountain.
Photo credit to Lisa Lococo-Shipp @ Photography by Lisa

Whether it is at home, at work or on some mountain trail. I continue on. Not giving up. Not giving in. Trusting Him. I seek Him wherever and whenever I can. I speak to Him, I question Him, I listen to Him, I rely on Him, I worship Him with all that I am. He gives me peace and comfort. He restores my soul. He is the King of Glory. The great "I AM". The wonderful counselor. He is grace. Amazing grace. I look at God's beauty and I see grace. I lift my hands in praise to Him that created all and daily sends down grace to cover me.

Let His grace flow over you and cleanse you. Let it free you from the snares of this world.

Let grace cover you. Let Him restore your soul.

God's grace. God's Amazing Grace.

How sweet the sound.

Grace.