Last week we celebrated the release of Little Faith, Big God with two launch parties. It was so much fun to see old friends and meet new ones. My good friend Lisa Grimes interviewed me as part of the event. She asked me my biggest take-away from writing Little Faith, Big God.
“I can sum that up in one word,” I said. “Grace. Since Little Faith, Big God is based on Hebrews 11—the faith chapter—I thought this book would be all about faith. And while it’s certainly a book on faith, I gained a renewed appreciation for God’s grace. I realized biblical faith is a response to God’s grace.”
As believers we know we are saved by grace through faith, “and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephes. 2:8-9 NIV).
Yet, there are times I’ve forgotten this. When I disappointed myself, I felt sure God was put out with me too. That is why the backstories of those God commended in Hebrews 11 stunned me. Their fumbles showcased God’s amazing grace.
Examples of Grace
Jacob is one who initially repelled me. He deceived his father, cheated his brother, and fled to escape his twin’s anger.
His first night out, God appeared to him in an amazing dream. Jacob saw a stairway that spanned the distance between heaven and earth. The Lord spoke to him from the top of the stairway conferring the blessing and promise of Abraham to Jacob (Gen. 28:10-15). What an amazing gift!
- The whole world would be blessed through Jacob’s descendants.
- The Promised Land would belong to Jacob’s descendants.
- The Lord would be with Jacob and keep him wherever he went.
The timing of this gift astounded me. Can you say, “Amazing Grace”?
God chose Jacob before he was born to inherit the blessing. He did nothing to earn it. And his bad behavior couldn’t nullify God’s grace—though it did complicate his own life.
Faith and Grace
Abraham, a man esteemed by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, also fumbled in his walk. He lied calling his wife Sarah his sister to save his own hide. These actions landed Sarah in a pagan ruler’s harem. Twice.
God swooped in and rescued her (them). In one case, He spoke to the unbelieving king in a dream; in another He sent an uncomfortable disease to the king and his court. But there is no record that God ever chided Abraham for these lapses. The pagan rulers reproached him when they kicked him out of their countries. But God pointed Abraham back to the promise.
“Remember your calling. Look what I’ve promised you.”
“Remember your calling. Look what I’ve promised you.” #BigGod #Faith Share on XAnd do I need to mention Samson or Isaac, or any others? Those commended for their faith highlight a gracious God. These men and women were ordinary people—like you and me. But they were people of faith. Their faith was shown in their successes and in their stumbles.
For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Pro. 24:16 NIV).
Grace to Ignite Our Faith
What about you and me? How should we respond after we blunder?
The night Jesus was betrayed He told Peter that He’d prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail. Why not pray Peter would not fail? James 3:2 says we all stumble in many ways. It’s what we do after we stumble that sets people of faith apart.
Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away. True faith responds to God’s grace and gets up again. Faith is the believer’s response to grace.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” (Ps. 37:24 NASB).
How does recognizing faith as a response to grace encourage you to grow your faith?
Blessings,
My friend Dottie Stam videoed part of the interview. Her camera froze on the above question. So she asked for a repeat after everyone left. Below is my 20 second answer!
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory #Recharge Wednesday, #TuneinThursaday, #Dance with Jesus, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth, #Faith ‘n Friends
“True faith responds to God’s grace. ” I absolutely love this reminder that it all begins and ends with Him.
Isn’t that a wonderful anchor! Thanks, Ann.
Love this! Yes, Amen. “Faith is in response to God’s grace.”
I love it too! He always initiates and we respond with faith. Blessings to you, Melissa!
“Faith is in response to God’s grace.” Praise God for His grace! His grace draws us to Himself; but we must respond by faith. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do ot see.” Hebrews 11:1
Amen! Thanks, Susie.
Love this, Debbie. Even followers will fail at times. The important thing, as you say, is to not fall away from faith.
Laurie, that certainly encourages me. I’ve known the Lord a while, and I still stumble. How wonderful that He holds our hands and draws us back.
I love this whole paragraph, Debbie: “God chose Jacob before he was born to inherit the blessing. He did nothing to earn it. And his bad behavior couldn’t nullify God’s grace—though it did complicate his own life.” Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Julie!
Great post full of reminders of His faithfulness. I love this:
True faith responds to God’s grace and gets up again
Thank you, Jeanne. What hope that provides when we stumble.
I love Hebrews 11, Debbie! When I was in the third grade we memorized Hebrews 11 as a class. It made such a huge impact on my life! I can still recite much of it today. Thanks for posting and for writing this book! 🙂
Pinned, tweeted and will share to the IE Facebook.
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Patsy, what a wonderful chapter to have tucked in your heart. Thank you so much for hosting and sharing!
Amazing indeed Ms. Debbie. I love your expression “Faith is our response to God’s grace.” How very true this is ma’am. I’m coming to learn in my own walk that when I fail, which is more often than I care to admit, I respond to God by acknowledging my failure to Him and thanking Him for His endless grace to forgive my transgression and His willingness to help me become better. In turn, I want to believe my faith grows just a bit with each time I come to Him to confess my err. God’s blessings ma’am.
J.D., in such a response you are exercising your faith. Without faith, we wouldn’t pray like that! I believe His grace fertilizes our faith. Thank you.
Sounds like a great book. Congrats!
Thank you, Susan!
This sounds like a very encouraging book, Debbie. I love that our bad behaviors or failures never nullify God’s grace. Such unconditional love! Love and blessings to you!
And to you, Trudy!
“Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away.” This resonated with me deeply! Congratulations on the launch of your book.
Thank you, Lynn!
I am so thankful for stories of successes and stumbles because they assure me that I am in good company! Congratulations, Debbie, on another beautiful, faith-building book!
Me too, Erin. I love seeing God’s grace woven through each story of faith. Thanks so much.
Congratulations on your new book. I have seen some buzz on social media about it. Hebrews 11 is one of my favorites and if you asked me before I read this post, I would have described it as a chapter all about faith. Thank you for bringing grace into the mix. Faith and grace go hand in hand.
Mary, that is such a relief for me!