“This grace wherein we stand..."

What exactly was Paul talking about when he wrote these words? Of course the answer is the grace of God -as declared in and through His gift of Jesus to mankind. But let us look for a moment a little closer at this grace wherein “we stand.” There is a particular story in the Old Testament that I believe God put in His Word for the purpose of both foreshadowing and helping us to comprehend the grace He has extended to us in Jesus.

In 2 Samuel 9 David, having replaced Saul as God's choice of King over Israel, determines to find out if there are any of Sail’s descendants still living. His is informed that Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth is still alive. He calls for him and announces much to Mephibosheth's surprise that all of Saul’s property will be given to him and that he will be a guest at King David's table all his days.

Upon hearing this news, Mephibosheth was stunned. This was not without good reason, for it was common practice for new Kings to kill all possible competitors to the throne (such as all other members of the royal family) and their families. Whatever was David thinking, then? The answer is found in verses 1,3 and 7. David was showing the “kindness [mercy, grace] of God” to Mephibosheth for Jonathan (his father)'s sake. In I Samuel 18:3-4 and 20:14-17 is recorded a covenant made between Jonathan and David, and it was to honour this covenant with Jonathan that David was showing such kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son.

“What relevance,” you may be asking, “does this story have on the New Testament?” Quite a bit, actually! Read this story again, only this time substitute God in the place of David, Jesus in the place of Jonathan and yourself in the place of Mephibosheth. Now we begin to get a clear picture of “this grace wherein we stand” – it is a picture of God granting us the blessings of righteousness (all of the good things He has promised His people throughout His Word) for Jesus' sake!

Thank You Lord for this awesome grace wherein we stand! Now it remains only for us to be one who chooses, by faith, to,

“Receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness…”

This is what Paul was referring to in Philippians 1:11 when he said that as believers we have been

“…Filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ.”

All the many blessings that God promised to the righteous are now ours – not on account of anything we have done, but on account of Jesus, and this grace wherein we stand!