The Sovereignty of God & The Responsibility of Man

When we think about the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man and the mercy of God to poor unworthy sinners, it is the grace of God that seems to tie it all together with God being the great orchestrator of the event. Before I was born, it was the grace of God that sustained me from my mother’s womb lest I died during birth. When I drew my first breath, it was the grace of God that allowed my lungs to perform the doing of it and continue the cycle of creation. When I grew and faced many dangers in life or became as sick unto death, it was the grace of God that sought to preserve my life for His greater calling. When my parents traveled and moved to a city where God would ultimately meet me, it was the grace of God that drew salvation’s plan before time and eternity. When I went in my perilous ways and played the fool to tempt death, it was the grace of God which stayed death’s hand from embracing me. When I resisted God’s calling to flee from grace, it was the grace of God that sought a wretch like me. When I wandered with no purpose in life and saw that the things of this world do grow strangely dim, it was the grace of God that put the truth in my bosom that there must be more to life than this. When the error of religion desired to turn me astray, it was the grace of God that pointed the way towards the Truth. When the glorious day of God’s sovereign free grace fell upon my darkened soul, it was the grace of God that revealed the truth by His Spirit. When conviction of sin caused me to cry out “Lord, forgive me for I put you on that cross”, it was the grace of God that humbled me and brought the words from my heart unto righteousness, in repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. When the work of regeneration was done and my heart felt like it bore a thousand wings, it was the grace of God by the Spirit which gave sweet assurance on that great transaction. A transaction of solemn exchange of sin to be gone into the dark abyss forever in exchange for my precious Savior. When life events happened from the beginning to the end of various hours, days, months and years, it was the grace of God that guided (and guides) this pilgrim in the journey of life. When growing in the knowledge of God, it was the grace of God that sought to bring His servant to higher ground. When I played the prodigal and desired the husks of this world, it was the grace of God that sought me as the ninety and nine to restore me back into His fold. When I cross the tide of death and embrace the shore of life it will be the grace of God that will guide me home. Oh grace, abounding grace, unrelenting grace how oft I fled from thee, but faithful and true from a God who is unchanging, capture, conquer and satisfy me.