Prevenient Grace – The Divine Initiative
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44 (NIV)
The definition of prevenient is going before; preceding; anticipating; expectant. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God, so prevenient grace is God watching, hovering, and brooding 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 always 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 snow and ice. The sunlight sparkled through the leaves and the wind made a rustling sound through the icy limbs of the hedge. I could almost hear a comforting voice calming and soothing my ragged emotions. I recognize now that voice, that presence was the Lord hovering over His blood bought daughter before I had any concept of who He was!
Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father help us recognize your prevenient grace.
Thought for the Day: Read I John 4:9-10, and know God has provided a way for personal relationship with His son and the price Jesus paid for that provision.
No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44 (NIV)
The definition of prevenient is going before; preceding; anticipating; expectant. Grace is the unmerited love and favor of God, so prevenient grace is God watching, hovering, and brooding 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 always 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 snow and ice. The sunlight sparkled through the leaves and the wind made a rustling sound through the icy limbs of the hedge. I could almost hear a comforting voice calming and soothing my ragged emotions. I recognize now that voice, that presence was the Lord hovering over His blood bought daughter before I had any concept of who He was!
Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father help us recognize your prevenient grace.
Thought for the Day: Read I John 4:9-10, and know God has provided a way for personal relationship with His son and the price Jesus paid for that provision.
