DOUBLE GRACE
We thank the Lord Almighty, the Faithful, and Merciful God, for sparing our lives to see the month of October 2023. He who has started a good work in us will see us through our life’s journeys in Jesus’ name. This month, our focus shall be on “Double Grace.” Psalm 23, verses 6a & 6b, says “Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me, All the days of my life;”
The words “goodness and mercy” are often used together in the Bible to describe God’s character (Psalm 145:8-9). God is good in that He is loving, kind, and compassionate. He is merciful for He forgives our sins and gives us new life in Christ (Psalm 103: 8-10). The psalmist’s trust in God’s goodness and mercy is based on his personal experience of God’s love and faithfulness. He has seen God’s goodness and mercy in his own life, and we as children of God should know that God will continue to be good and merciful to us all the days of our lives.
The month of October is termed double grace for a few reasons:
1. The number 10, which represents October, can be seen as a symbol of double grace because it is the product of 5 multiplied by 2. In the Bible, the number 5 is often associated with grace, and the number 2 is associated with duplication. So, the number 10 can be seen as a symbol of double grace.
2. The month of October is a time when the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34-43) is celebrated, which is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt and their protection, provision, and care by the hand of God during their 40 years in the wilderness. During the Feast of Tabernacles, the Israelites lived in temporary shelters called tabernacles, and they rejoiced in God’s provision for them during their wilderness journey.
3. Some Christians believe that the Feast of Tabernacles is a type of Christian life and that the wilderness journey represents our journey through this life. They also believe that the tabernacles represent our temporary bodies and that the Promised Land represents heaven.
In this light, the month of October can be seen as a time to celebrate God’s double grace, both in our present lives and in our future hope of heaven.
4. Some Christians also believe that the month of October is a special time for receiving God’s double grace. They point to the fact that many people experience breakthroughs and blessings in their lives during this month. Our family, the Stephen and Lillian Haastrup family can relate to this point of view. We have received and still receiving God’s immeasurable kindness during the month of October. For instance, to God be the glory, my husband, Pastor Steve Haastrup will be celebrating his 75th birthday this October by the grace of God. Others in the family celebrating their birthdays are Pastor Joe, Stephen Jnr, and Grace OmoTola Haastrup. We praise the Lord, for blessing our family with these amazing people.
The month of October is a good time to reflect on God’s goodness and mercy in our lives. We can be thankful for the fact that God loves us unconditionally and that He has forgiven our sins. We can also be thankful for the hope that Jesus Christ will be with us all the days of our lives (Matthew 28:20b).
Trust God’s goodness and mercy, even when things are difficult. The psalmist knew that God would be good and merciful to him even when he was going through difficult times. We can trust God’s goodness and mercy too, even when we don’t understand why things are happening the way they are (Proverbs 3:5-6).
There are many ways God has shown double grace to his people in the Bible:
When God saved the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, He showed them double grace. He forgave their sins and led them out of bondage (Exodus 12).
When King David committed adultery and murder, God forgave him and showed him double grace. David was not only forgiven but he was also allowed to continue to reign as king (2 Samuel 12).
When the apostle Paul persecuted Christians, God showed him double grace. Paul was forgiven and converted to Christianity, and he became one of the greatest missionaries of all time. (Acts 9).
Double grace is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. When we come to Jesus in faith, we receive the gift of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit. We also receive the promise of God’s double grace, which will sustain us and empower us to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
PRAYERS
1. Oh Lord, I come to You today as a sinner in need of mercy. I have fallen short of Your standards, and I have sinned against You. But I know that You are a merciful God. You forgive the sins of those who repent and turn to You. I pray that You will forgive my sins, Lord. I turn to You in faith. I repent of my sins and I believe in the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your mercy, for receiving and saving me in Jesus’ name.
2. Thank You, Lord, for Your amazing goodness. You are good to all people, and Your goodness endures forever.
3. Lord, I pray that You will help me to experience Your goodness in a new way in my life.
4. Help me to see Your goodness in the people around me, in the world around me, and in my own life.
5. I also pray that You would help me to be good to others. Help me to be kind, compassionate, and loving. Help me to reflect Your goodness to the world.
6. I pray for grace to overcome my challenges, grace to forgive those who have wronged me, grace to love others unconditionally, and grace to live a life that is pleasing to You.
7. I also pray for grace to share Your love and mercy with others. Help me to be a blessing to the people around me.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. 9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger forever.10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our
iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us (Psalm 103:8-12).
You are welcome to October 2023, the month of Double Grace in Jesus’ name.
Yours by His Grace,
Pastor Lillian Haastrup
