Ezra 9:8 – And now for a little while grace has been shown from the Lord our God to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a peg in His holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes and give us a measure of revival in our bondage. (NKJV)

I recently attended a retreat at which I was blessed to be a part of the ministry team for the event. As people were coming forward for prayer, I recognized two of the ladies. It took me a few minutes to realize where I knew them from. Then it dawned on me: I had gone to high school with them. They did not seem to recognize me. The reason I had recognized them, I believe, was that I had been afraid of them. They were known throughout the high school as bullies. What was most amazing to me in seeing them again was their size: they were certainly not large in size. In fact, they were only about four feet tall and certainly not built as one would expect a bully to be. I am not sure what relationship they had with the Lord back then, but given the event that I recently attended, I feel assured that they have a relationship with the Lord now and have turned from their past ways.

This got me thinking that even before I knew the Lord, there were things in my past that were like giants to me. I know, too, that I was a giant in other people's lives, on account of my sinful past and actions.

If God reached down and touched my life, He also is able to reach down and touch the lives of others.

In times and situations like these, I reflect, and allow the Lord to show me what He wants me to see from past events in my life — now that I have been brought in awe back to the Lord and His love, grace, and mercy.

Romans 11:33 – Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! (NKJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord, at times we seem to forget our sinful past. Help us to remember those times as occasions for Your forgiveness and grace in our lives. Help us to be able to extend this to others from our past, and also to others in the future. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Julie Bowles <julieanni@rogers.com>
Barrie, Ontario, Canada
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