January 31, 2011 Prevenient Grace – The Divine Initiative
Jeremiah 31:3, The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
The definition of prevenient is going before; preceding; anticipating; expectant. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God, so prevenient grace is God hovering, brooding, and watching over us as individuals before we are aware of Him.
As a very young child I felt disturbed by the chaotic negative emotions constantly displayed in my home. I was very sensitive to the tense atmosphere and would escape to various “playhouses”. I never understood the peace and calm in those solitary places where no one disturbed me. There was a presence that watched over me and wooed me back to my quiet refuge. I have a distinct memory of one occasion when we had a record snowfall and I found a large hedge covered with ice and snow. The sunlight twinkled through the leaves and I could almost hear a comforting voice calming my ragged emotions. I recognize now that voice, that presence was the Lord hovering over His blood bought daughter even before I had any concept of who He was!
Thought: Have you recognized God’s prevenient grace and will you allow it to enable a desire for relationship?
Action: Remain open to the fact that the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is all around you every second of every day and desires a relationship with you. John 6:44a
Jeremiah 31:3, The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
The definition of prevenient is going before; preceding; anticipating; expectant. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God, so prevenient grace is God hovering, brooding, and watching over us as individuals before we are aware of Him.
As a very young child I felt disturbed by the chaotic negative emotions constantly displayed in my home. I was very sensitive to the tense atmosphere and would escape to various “playhouses”. I never understood the peace and calm in those solitary places where no one disturbed me. There was a presence that watched over me and wooed me back to my quiet refuge. I have a distinct memory of one occasion when we had a record snowfall and I found a large hedge covered with ice and snow. The sunlight twinkled through the leaves and I could almost hear a comforting voice calming my ragged emotions. I recognize now that voice, that presence was the Lord hovering over His blood bought daughter even before I had any concept of who He was!
Thought: Have you recognized God’s prevenient grace and will you allow it to enable a desire for relationship?
Action: Remain open to the fact that the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is all around you every second of every day and desires a relationship with you. John 6:44a
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