Ezra 9:8
“And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage.”
Taking God’s grace for granted is a recipe for disaster. Ezra reminded the people that the opportunity to rebuild the temple was a “little space grace” that the LORD showed to them. He reminded them that this space of grace was an opportunity to get closer to God and to show His works among the heathen.
There is no doubt that God has been gracious to every Christian. When you look at your life, you must admit that God has given you a space of grace in your life even after all the foolish things you have done. There are four things you must remember about this space of grace.
First, God is not obligated to give us a space of grace. The very definition of grace should cause us to be humbled that He would give us this space of grace. God doesn’t have to withhold His judgment, but He does. You should always remember that God is not obligated to give you grace; therefore, it should humble you when He does give you a space of grace.
Second, this space of grace was given because He loves you. There was only one reason God wanted to leave Israel a “remnant to escape,” and that reason was because He loved them. When God gives a space of grace, He also shows His love to you. Oh how this should move you to want to please Him! God loves you so much that He would give you a space of grace from judgment. Friend, for God to love you that much should be the catalyst to thank Him for your space of grace.
Third, this space of grace is not a license to sin. When you look at the verse above, you will see that the space of grace was more about God than about us. He gave Israel that space of grace to show the world that they were His people. Just because God has given you a space of grace does not mean you can go do what you want to do. He can close that window of grace as quickly as He has opened it. Don’t think that the space of grace is your license to do what you want to do, but it was given so that you can have your part in His work.
Fourth, don’t waste your space of grace. God gave Israel a space of grace to give them “a nail in his holy place.” He was giving that generation an opportunity to do something for Him. What are you doing with your space of grace? Are you putting a nail in the portals of history for God or are you wasting your space of grace on yourself and your desired lifestyle? The space of grace given is an opportunity to serve God. If He gives you a space of grace, then He will enable you to put the nail in history for His name’s sake.
Let me encourage you to take your space of grace and use it for the cause of Christ. Show God that He didn’t waste His grace on you. Always remember that God’s grace is a work order to serve Him and not a license to sin. Everyday you should ask God what you can do for Him, and when He shows you then do it so that your space of grace will not be wasted.