Unexpected, undeswerved graces

Grace comes in wonderfully wrapped packages. None of the gifts of God are deserved, but they are all marvelous. Unlike birthday presents which we come to expect, God graciously adds to life surprisingly, in unexpected ways, on unanticipated paths.

Consider three of the graces, unearned, undeserved gifts the Lord shares with us, friends, songs and books. While reading 2 Samuel, one learns that the Lord gave David 30 Mighty Men to fight with him in battle. Among the 30 were three who were the mightiest, Jashobeam, Eleazar and Shammah. While "The Three" are not household names, each played a key role in Israel.

Jashobeam singlehandedly killed 800 enemy troops with a spear, in one battle! Navy Seals, take note!

Eleazar fought until he could not lift his sword. The rest of the army had fled and only returned to the battlefield to loot the enemy’s stuff.

And, Shammah, like Eleazar, stood his ground, alone and defeated the enemy Philistines.

The story of David mighty men is recorded in 2 Samuel 23. God’s grace, His gift of faithful friends standing with us in life’s battles is a phenomenal expression of His generosity.

Do you have friends who help move a pile of bricks, pray for you and wisely encourage you when the demands of life are heavier than the bricks they helped you move? Is anyone making you laugh when all you want to do is cry? Who prompts you to holy thoughts and generous giving when you get lost in self-pity and stinginess? One of my friends proofreads my posts before they are sent. God wraps His grace with friends.

This past Sunday, the worship team at our church led the congregation in singing Henry van Dyke’s "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee," set to the tune of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. My spirit soared as the grace of God was unwrapped in joyous assembly. It remains, liltingly lightening my days. What a gift! What a grace!
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee,
Op’ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee,
Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea,
Singing bird and flowing fountain
Call us to rejoice in Thee.

Thou art giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Wellspring of the joy of living,
Ocean depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the happy chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
Father love is reigning o’er us,
Brother love binds man to man.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward
In the triumph song of life.
A friend sent the following link, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHQ-w-IByrc. A flash mob affects a crowded Spanish square with Beethoven and van Dyke. Or you may enjoy a lighter version from "Sister Act 2" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wNmlrdCBkE. God’s grace is often wrapped in a song!

And, gifts of grace are delivered to me, God’s hand to my heart, in books! Perhaps the Lord will allow me to be His hand extended, to deliver a recommendation to read John Wesley’s Message for Today. The beauty and blessing of the book is compounded by the way it came into my library. The volume was on a "Free: Help Yourself" display at the local "Friends of the Milton Library" bookshop. If I had known what was in the book, I would have been willing to pay a handsome price. But, it was free, a wonderful wrapping around an undeserved gift from heaven!

Grace! You will find it with many wrappings.