“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
Jeremiah 31:33 NIV
Engraved on Our Heart
When I married my husband, I married into the military. One of the very first things we had to do was set me up with a military ID card. I didn’t think much of it in the moment. The size of a driver’s license, with a little driver’s license-like photo taken. And the reminder to keep it with me at all times.
I soon found out this card was everything. I needed it to get on post, I needed it to get into the commissary, I needed it to get into the shopping center, I needed it for all of my health care. I needed it for anything and everything. It was my identity as a military spouse. Without it, I pretty much didn’t exist where the military was concerned.
But aren’t we beyond blessed that we always have a very special identity united with Christ?
Good Friday will be here soon… then Easter. A beautiful, new day. He sacrificed everything for us on this new day. God’s plan for grace was fulfilled and He has provided a way for us. He chose to live right there in our hearts. Christ within us. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus provides for us this new identity.
He has written His law, His very self into our hearts. His laws are no longer just something etched on stone, but instead they are engraved on our hearts. Engraved on our soul. The Spirit of Christ lives in us.
His grace is now part of our being.
Loving us even when we are unlovable. Forgiving us when we don’t deserve it. Guiding us when we don’t know our way. Speaking through us when we have no words. Holding us when we can no longer stand. Patience with us when we try to do things our own way.
He is our true companion; we are no longer on our own.
And like the benefits we have with a military ID, benefits beyond our comprehension come with this identity. Benefits based on His great love for us. The kind of life we live, who we truly are. Having a character that is honest and kind and faithful.
Our hearts are transformed, we are free from the darkness. We can now be a source of love, peace, and joy. Living out God’s calling.
The beautiful truth of a grace filled identity.
In big or small ways, how is God engraving grace on your heart?
by Jennifer Ueckert
Jennifer Ueckert
What a great post for a Sunday in the Easter season which reminds us again of the grace of God’s love that is always with us.
Thank you so much, Kathy! I love that we gather to praise His great love and grace!
Jennifer,
I love this…”A grace-filled identity.” I like the analogy you drew with the military ID. I’m so thankful, I don’t have to carry a physical card because I carry Christ in my heart. He is with me all the time. No matter where I go, I can’t put Him down and lose Him. If I run away, He’ll always find me. If I drop Him, He never drops me. God continually engraves His grace on my heart. Every day He gives me a new day to start anew. Yesterday is forgotten. He’s gotten me through some of the hardest times in my life when I had to learn that His grace was, indeed, sufficient. I can’t even begin to count the ways He’s lavished out His grace on me. That’s just the way He is and for that I praise Him. Absolutely beautiful post, Jennifer!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you so very much, Bev! Isn’t it amazing that we can’t even count the way He fills us with His grace? Amazing!
Beautiful truth that our identity–like our obedience–is written on our new hearts by the finger of God.
Amen to that, Michele!
How marvellous, how wonderful & my song shall ever be! I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me! In Christ we live & have our being-identified with Him in His death & in His living through Holy Spirit-all because of God’s great love! Being ex-military I know the value of the ID but have never looked at it through the eyes of Jesus, our strong tower, defender, shelter, comforter & friend! Blessings!
All because of God’s great love… yes, yes, yes! Thank you for sharing these beautiful thoughts, Anne. And thank you so much for your service!
God has been engraving grace on my heart in ways I could not have anticipated over the last nearly two years, through the several health crises of my husband due to congestive heart failure (“the oncology of cardiac disease” one of his doctors called it) and his passing into eternity last Easter morning. So much grace through so many unknowns. As you put it so beautifully: “Guiding us when we don’t know our way…Holding us when we can no longer stand…” And, now especially: “He is our true companion. We are no longer on our own.” This devotional touched me deeply. Thank you for this outpouring of grace this morning.
Sandra,
Sweet sister. I’m praying for you. May God continue to be your guide & stay as you traverse this journey alone. I pray you feel Him constantly holding you & sending His Whispers of Rest to your soul!
(((((Hugs)))))
Thank you so much, Beth, for your prayers and your encouragement. They are both truly appreciated.
I am so deeply sorry for your loss, Sandra. So grateful to know that He is your true companion through this journey. Praying His grace comforts and uplifts you. Praying for you!
Thank you, Jennifer. Your devotional was exactly what I needed to read this morning, as the next month I know will be emotional (as all the others have been, even though less pronounced now in some ways.) Thank you so much for your prayers.
I love these words about identity. This is an area I am working on in my own life. Resting in knowing I am God’s Child is not always how I view myself. I see what is wrong instead of all that is right. But my story doesn’t end here and God is working in me to see myself as He sees me. Blessings!
Oh I sure hear you, Mary. I know those feelings well and it is an area I also work on. Grateful to know He sees us in such a beautiful way!
Thank you for this!! 🙂
You are so very welcome, Marymargaret. Thank you!
Beautiful truths to remind us always of who we are and who’s we are.
Oh yes! I love that thought, Carol… Who’s we are!
Jennifer,
I receive grace daily. Each time I wander or sin in some way-He forgives me & allows me to come back to Him. I have a hard time fathoming His great love for us. How could He go to the cross & die for me? Praise God yesterday is forgotten-washed away. I received His tender loving care & grace when my aging dad was in hospital with severe dementia. He was there for me all the time!! He continually amazes me with His lavishness of love & grace!
Blessings 🙂
Beautiful examples of His great love and grace, Beth. Thank you so much for sharing. I am so happy to know He was your constant companion during your difficult times and that He continues to be!
Better than any ID, your name is in His book.
Oh it sure is, Rebecca! So grateful for that!
Jennifer,
This writing was as fluid and effortless as your artwork. You spoke deep into my heart. Thank you!!!
Love,
Tammy Belau
That is such an incredibly touching compliment, Tammy. Thank you so much for that!
For each day that I can start off new, leaving yesterday behind, I have been blessed by His grace. Jennifer thank-you for sharing your uplifting words.
Blessings to all,
Penny
Oh what a beautiful grace it is to start off new each and every day! Amen to that, Penny!