Grace greater than all our sins

Written July 22, 2013

It wouldn't take much for us to be on the other side of things. The Songhai people are no better or worse than us... They just have a different skin color, and are in a different set of circumstances. The only difference is God's grace. God saved us already - and He hasn't saved them quite yet. 

However, we do have a handful of believers - mostly men and very small number of women and children.  He saved them. 

God saved us and knew our names before the beginning of the world. How amazing is that?

Brother Ken lead devotional last night. He lead it on 2nd Chronicles 20. It's King Jehoshaphat's prayer. There was a great horde of enemies coming toward them, so proclaimed a fast all throughout Judah.  

The LORD responded, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours, but God's.... You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the Salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.... And all Judah and  the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell down before the LORD, worshiping the the LORD." - and when they went out to the watchtower the next morning, the great horde was dead. 

The same is true here. This is God's battle, not ours. We're just the tools He uses. This is so comforting. The grace of the LORD upon us is so great. This gives us only reason to praise Him.

Honestly, there's no where else I'd rather be - than right where God wants me - even if its in Africa, falling asleep outside under mosquito nets.... With a turtle that has massive gas issues 5 feet away. (Only in Africa. Which I'm pretty sure this turtle is still out to get me. It keeps hissing at me.) 

So if it's hard - or in the current case rather stinky - it's not our battle. We can't save anyone. All we can do is proclaim the Gospel for all to hear - keeping our eyes fixed on Christ himself - not on ourselves. 

God's grace is sufficient - in fact, it's the only thing that is sufficient. God is sovereign, good, and just. There is no one like Him in all the universe - and He created you and me. He created the Songhai people. He created this stinky turtle named Mary. He created the stars and the mosquitos. He created the sand and the trees. 

And then we sinned. Adam and Eve were thrown out of the garden because they disobeyed God - and sin was passed down from generation to generation. Because God is a just God, He had to punish Adam and Eve. So death and fear and shame came. Life became hard. BUT God, promised a Savior - who would once again restore man's relationship with God. Christ came. Did things people have never seen before. Said He was the Son of God. People didn't like that - so they plotted to kill Him. But this was God's plan all along - because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice. He BECAME our sin. That's not the end of the story - because Jesus is God - He rose again on the 3rd day... And one day Christ will return. What a glorious day that will be!!! 

The Bible says if we believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved. 

That is the message we proclaim - and that is the message we will continue to proclaim. 

Pray for the Songhai women. We went to a lady's compound today - but we were not able to share with her - even though she wanted to hear - because she said the men would not approve (they had just come back) - and she would have to come here to hear. Remember most all the believers are male. It's so much harder for a woman to come because of the culture. 

The word is out - as to why the Americans are here. Some are curious - but not all approve. Pray that we will still be able to share as much as possible. Pray that God would have grace on them - and save them. Pray that we would be strong and courageous and not afraid or dismayed. Pray that God would speak though us - and would keep working on us - until Christ is all we have. 

I would ask for prayers for safe travel for the Bethany team - but by the time I post this, they'll be back home. So praise God for their safe return. 

Thank you for your prayers and support! I love y'all. 

God is so good, so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do. (Including saving the Songhai - and you're welcome for getting that song stuck in your head). ;)

Until the whole world hears. <3 ;) Love y'all.