The Father's Fuel

 

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!”

These timeless words have been passionately sung from sanctuaries and prairies; hymnals and recitals; churchyards and graveyards; living rooms and waiting rooms. The lyrics and their flagship tune will march proudly into the dawning of time. Every Christian tradition knows the song and knows it well.

But do we understand the meaning of that which we carol? “Grace” is so easy to say and to sing, but so hard to lend and to live. It reads perfectly on signs or slogans. It beautifully decorates coffee tables and kitchens. But what does it truly look like? When is it fully experienced? Why is it actually given? How is it adequately measured? These questions, and others like them, deserve a lifetime of tutelage. The pursuit of grace deepens the maturity of the pursuer.

Yet we turn our eyes to grace’s debut on history’s stage. Grace was seen in the garden, but grace was scribed before the curtain opened on the fall of man. Grace’s name tag was pinned on Noah’s heart.

The writer of Genesis (most likely Moses) records the following about Noah’s esteemed spiritual status, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8, NIV). Most translations use the word “favor” to describe Noah’s credentials with the Creator, but I particularly appreciate how the New King James Version renders the passage: “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8, NKJV). Grace is “unmerited favor” from God. A gift we do not deserve. Noah was an unworthy recipient of God’s grace, but a proud beneficiary, nonetheless. Yet after Noah received the amazing, “sweet sounding” gift, what did Noah do? Noah built. And Noah led.

This grace receiving giant helped save the future of mankind. His contemporaries were not so blessed. Due to their disobedience, their destruction was imminent. God was grieved that He had made them, for every inclination of their heart was evil (Genesis 6:7, NIV). Yet Noah was a saved by grace, serving because of grace kind of fella.

By grace, Noah built an ark. Grace accomplished the century long, “DIY Project”. This without a Home Depot or Lowe’s!

By grace, Noah was tapped on the shoulder to lead a new humanity into a new tomorrow. When Noah made huge mistakes, grace showed up again, because grace not only forgave Noah’s past; grace formed Noah’s future. 

Grace is an undeserved gift, but grace is also an unending trip. Once we receive, we renew. Once we take, we give. Grace activated Noah into his best hour. Grace activates us into our best lives.

When we are “stuck”, grace’s four-wheel drive pulls us out of the mud. Just think—would Noah have made the roster of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 if he had received grace, but kept his faith in neutral? Probably not. Grace kept Noah in drive. Grace was Noah’s fuel then. Grace is our fuel now. Keep your tank full!

-          Jacob Hawk