Photo by Jackson David on Unsplash

What happens when you make a mistake or disappoint yourself or someone else? Do you assume God is put out with you? Sometimes we are our own worst enemies. That’s why the backstories of those God commended in Hebrews 11 captivate me. Their fumbles showcase God’s amazing grace.

Examples of Grace

Jacob was a rascal. He deceived his father by pretending to be his brother. He cheated his brother out of the blessing. In fleeing to escape his twin’s anger, God appeared to him in a dream his first night out.

What would you expect God to say to someone who acted like Jacob?

“He [Jacob] had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the Lord, and he said: ‘I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you’” (Gen. 28:12-15 NIV).

The Lord conferred the blessing and promise of Abraham onto Jacob. No chiding, no reprimand. Only grace.

  • The whole world would be blessed through Jacob’s descendants.
  • The Promised Land would belong to Jacob’s descendants.
  • The Lord would be with Jacob and keep him wherever he went.

The timing of this gift astounds me.

God chose Jacob before he was born to inherit the blessing. Jacob did nothing to earn it. His bad behavior complicated his own life, but it didn’t nullify God’s grace.

The Faith/Grace Connection

Abraham, a man esteemed by Jews, Christians, and Muslims, also fumbled. He lied, calling his wife Sarah his sister to save his own hide. These actions landed Sarah in a pagan ruler’s harem. Twice.

God swooped in and rescued her. In one case, He spoke to the unbelieving king in a dream. In another He sent an uncomfortable disease to the king and his court.

The pagan rulers reproached Abraham and kicked him out of their countries. Instead of chiding Abraham, God pointed Abraham back to the promise. “Remember your calling. Look what I’ve promised.”

Remember Samson and Isaac? Or others? The flaws of those commended for their faith only highlight a gracious God. The faith of these ordinary people was revealed in their stumbles as well as their successes. They got up after their falls.

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Pro. 24:16 NIV).

Grace to Ignite Our Faith

What about us? How should we respond when we blunder?

James 3:2 says we all stumble in many ways. It’s what we do after we stumble that sets people of faith apart.

Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away. True faith responds to God’s grace by getting up again. Faith is the believer’s response to grace.

[bctt tweet=”Believers fall like other people. But they won’t fall away. True faith responds to God’s grace by getting up again. #RechargeWednesday @debbieWwilson” username=”PatHolbrook”]

“When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.” (Ps. 37:24 NASB).

Writing about these people of faith in Little Faith, Big God showed me faith is the appropriate response to God’s amazing grace.


LINKUP PARTY is open!

Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:

1. Add your Link.

2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.

3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page

[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open. Join my friend @debbieWwilson as we look at the connection between grace and faith. Share your blog!” username=”PatHolbrook”]

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

You have Successfully Subscribed!