A Rock When Dark Clouds Gather

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast." --Ephesians 2:9

In the midst of discouragement, my focus often turns inward.  Or perhaps an inward focus lends itself to being easily discouraged.  Whichever the cause, the gospel confronts and comforts with truth: I am justified by grace alone through faith in Christ.

We live in a world which prioritizes success. God calls us to faithful obedience. Our culture says that bigger is better. Jesus asks us to leave everything and follow him.  Society insinuates that a full schedule is a sign of full life. Scripture teaches us to be still and wait upon the Lord.

All this striving is wearying.  And discouraging.  Yes, Christ is in the process of sanctifying me, and I am to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me," but the act of my justification was completed on the cross (Eph. 2:9).

When we grow tired and discouraged, let us lift our eyes to the cross and return to the good news of our faith.  John Piper writes, "This is the rock where we stand when the dark clouds gather and the floods lick our feet: Justification is by grace alone (not mixed with our merit), through faith alone (not mixed with our works), on the basis of Christ alone (not mingling his righteousness with ours), to the glory of God alone (not ours)."