March 15

and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. — Rom 3:24 BSB

It is because grace is free that it can reach us. How freely the sun sends forth its rays, how freely the clouds release their rain, how freely the dew falls from heaven, and how freely the wind blows where it will. These are all symbols of the free grace of God. Grace shines as freely as the sun, drops as freely as the rain, falls as freely as the dew, and moves as freely as the wind. But not to all people. No, grace comes freely to those whom it reaches. And when it comes, it brings precious gifts.

Just as the sun brings light and warmth, the rain fertilizes, the dew softens, and the wind invigorates, so the grace of God—flowing from the fullness of Christ—enlightens the understanding, warms the heart, nourishes the soul, softens the spirit, and strengthens the whole new man of grace. And grace does all this freely, without cost or payment, asking nothing from us except a grateful response. The best debt we owe to a benefactor is gratitude, the best return for kindness is love, and the best acknowledgment of favor is good words and deeds. The earth gives thanks for the sun, rain, dew, and wind by yielding good crops, showing the goodness of what falls from heaven upon it. So it is with grace—“Whoever offers praise glorifies me” (Psalm 50:23). A believing, loving heart, a prayerful and thankful spirit, and a holy, godly life are the best returns for grace.