Sometimes All Human Help Is Useless

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

March 2, 2026

Sometimes All Human Help Is Useless

Oh, please help us against our enemies,

for all human help is useless.

With God’s help we will do mighty things,

for he will trample down our foes.

Psalm 60:11-12 

The Christian Season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, forty-six days before Easter. There are forty days in Lent, not counting Sundays, that relate to the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness after His baptism. Depending on the date of Easter, the date of Ash Wednesday can range between February 4 and March 10. (Easter Sunday falls each year on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.) During Lent, the Christian devotes time to self-reflection and appraising their spiritual condition. Psalm 60 is very useful for guidance during Lent.

In humility, King David called out to God for help. David was feeling overwhelmed by the strength of his enemies. He knew his only help was in God. In faith, maybe even in desperation, David confessed all his human strength and ingenuity were useless against his enemies. He put his trust in God to trample down his foes.

David’s faith inspires me, through my self-reflection, to identify the foes in my life. What are the persistent sins, the persistent struggles I have in fulfilling my desire to make my life in Christ my way of life each day? Once identified, I will name these ‘foes’ to my Heavenly Father and as David did, and trust God to trample down my foes.

My Takeaway: This Easter I will join with my fellow Christians and celebrate the Resurrection of my Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. And I will give thanks to God for trampling down my foes. I hope you do as well.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Joy of Our Master

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 27, 2026

The Joy of Our Master

‘. . . enter into the joy of your master.’

Matthew 25:21c 

In 2 Timothy 4, Paul writes,

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (4:6-8)

I wonder if Paul was thinking of Jesus’ parable of The Three Servants in Matthew 25. The last line in that parable is noted above. Take a minute and think about our being invited to enter the joy of our master, Christ Jesus. Whatever this joy encompassed for Paul, I believe it included Jesus saying to Paul, “Come Paul, let me introduce you to some of your brothers and sisters who are here because of your testimony, your encouragement.”

I believe that joy of His master was not just for Paul; it is for you and me also. We too, as part of receiving our crown of righteousness, will celebrate with those whose choice to embrace Jesus as their savior was brought about in some part through our testimony, our witness, our encouragement. It has been my experience that most of the people in church pews are there because of the witness for Christ of family and friends. And sometimes the witness for Christ of strangers. It has also been my experience that most of those family members, friends, and maybe strangers, are least aware of their influence for Christ.

Let us purpose to increase our awareness of our great responsibility and privilege to be witnesses for Christ.

My Takeaway: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

God’s Goodness

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 26, 2026

God’s Goodness

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us.

Genesis 1: 26a 

Because Christ is my life, God, my Father, declares that I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. God further attests that His righteousness, since it was given to me as a gift, is not based on my behavior. I am not His righteousness, or new creation, because of what I did, or I am doing, or what I have refrained from doing. Rather it is because of what He has done in uniting me to Christ in death, burial, resurrection, and enthronement.

I first saw the above affirmation more than thirty-five years ago. I return to it often because I believe it so succinctly affirms the eternal goodness of God. God’s grace extended to me is not based on who I think I am. God’s grace is not extended to me because of my behavior in doing the right things or abstaining from forbidden fruit. God’s grace is extended to me because of the eternal Goodness of God.

This is not to say I have no responsibility toward God. The imperative of scripture is quite clear: “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) This is to say, the grounding of our faith to rest in God’s grace for today is in our conviction, first, that God created us in His image – God took the initiative to do this. Secondly, God took the initiative to provide for our redemption by uniting us to Christ in death, burial, resurrection, and enthronement.

My Takeaway: Again and again, I go to God’s altar to receive Holy Communion. I go, not because I have earned the right to go. I go, because God’s Goodness beckons me, “Come, receive food for your journey.” 

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

To Know Christ

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 25, 2026

To Know Christ

“One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

John 9:25b

“For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (Philippians 2:13 NLT). How do we experience this powerful promise of God? First, we receive the Word of God as information. Through the work of the Holy Spirit the information becomes inspirational to us as our hearts are warmed by the truth of God’s Word. Then the inspirational truth of God’s Word within us transforms our lives, and the Word becomes incarnational within us. That is, we begin to live out the truth of God’s Word in ways that are pleasing to God.

Anthony DeMello, in his wonderful little book, The Song of the Bird, describes the process this way:

“A dialogue between a recent convert and an unbelieving friend:

 “So you have been converted to Christ?” “Yes.”

“Then you must know a great deal about him. Tell me: what country was he born in?”

“I don’t know.”

“What was his age when he died?”

“I don’t know.”

“How many sermons did he preach?”

“I don’t know.”

“You certainly know very little for a man who claims to be converted to Christ.’”

“You are right. I am ashamed at how little I know about him. But this much I know: Three years ago I was a drunkard. I was in debt. My family was falling apart. My wife and children would dread my coming home each day. Now I have given up drink; we are out of debt; ours is a happy home. All this Christ has done. This much I know of him!”

DeMello concludes the dialog with this observation: “To really know. That is, to be transformed by what one knows.”

My Takeaway: In John’s Gospel the formerly blind beggar was asked a multitude of questions about Jesus. He could answer none. Like the recent convert in DeMello’s dialog, all he could say was: “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”

How have you been transformed?

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

 

A Mighty Fortress

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 24, 2026

A Mighty Fortress

God is our refuge and strength,
    always ready to help in times of trouble.

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

Psalm 46:1, 10a

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:”

Martin Luther was inspired by Psalm 46 to write “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, which has become one of the great hymns of the church. Drawing from the images of turmoil and conflict in Psalm 46, Luther affirmed with the psalmist, that “The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress” (v. 7 & 11).

I believe the writer of Psalm 46 was inspired by the account of a vast army from Edom marching against King Jehoshaphat, as recorded in Second Chronicles 20. Several passages in that account could well have inspired the psalmist, such as verse 17, “This battle is not for you to fight; take your position, stand still, and see the victory of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow, go out against them, and the Lord will be with you.”

In that one passage alone is sufficient inspiration for the psalmist to write,

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,”

“‘Be still, and know that I am God!” and

“The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;

the God of Israel is our fortress.”

Psalm 46: 1, 10a, 11 

My Takeaway: No matter the personal crisis you may be facing, what national or international event is causing you anxiety, I believe those three verses are sufficient to get you singing,

“A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;

Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:” 

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Now Faith

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 23, 2026

Now Faith

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for,

the conviction of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1 

Previously I wrote, “I know because of Christ’ Redemption, I am deeply loved by God, I am fully pleasing to God, I am totally acceptable & accepted by God, and I am a new creation – complete in Christ. (See I John 4: 9-10, Romans 5: 1, Col. 1:21-22, Col. 2:10)”

My ‘now faith’ the writer of Hebrews discusses, is in my assurance that the complete redemption in Christ noted above, is complete in me. Today. I choose to believe this is true even if the visible evidence in my behavior seems to be at odds with this truth.

Anglican Bishop N.T. Wright points to the Christian understanding of faith when he noted our life as disciples is about making the right choices. First, we choose to believe, to acknowledge, that the world’s culture has told us a pack of lies about who God is, who we are and who our neighbors are. Secondly, we choose to believe that God in Christ Jesus is telling us the truth.

I read somewhere that God is always near and His help is always available, but only if we seek His help. The first two assertions in that sentence are true; the third is not true. My faith has taught me about God’s prevenient grace. God choose to reveal Himself in my life before I knew Him. He still chooses to take the first step in my life, nourishing me, guiding me and sustaining me.

My Takeaway: As for me, the ground of my faith is always believing that God, my Heavenly Father, who is for me, is telling me the truth about who He is, who I am, and who my neighbors are.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

 

We will be like Him

Meditations on

Staying In the Grace for Today 

February 20, 2026

We will be like Him

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

John 14:2-3 

For two thousand years, Christians have been trying to plumb the depths of these two verses. There is not a consensus on what Jesus means here, as to the timing of when he will come and get us, or what it will be like to always be with Jesus where he is. The Bible is emphatic about God’s promise of eternal life for those who have been redeemed by Christ. Comparatively, there is scant information about how this works out for us. My take is that Jesus wants us to grasp the big picture – we are promised we will be with him always -- and leave the details to him. He certainly hinted at that when the disciples asked him had the time come for Him to free Israel and restore their kingdom. Jesus told them the timing was not for them to know. (Acts 1:6-7)

I accept that. But still, I like to ponder what my life will be, as I am with Him where he is, forever. Genesis 2 tells us that Adam had the capacity to name every living creature God had created. I believe when we are with Jesus, where he is, we will be complete and lacking nothing. I suspect we may be able to look at God’s created universe with fresh eyes and a complete understanding of how all things work together for the good of God.

My Takeaway: “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.” (1 John 3:2) We will be like Him. Yes and amen.

Sē’lah

My book on prayer,

First Think, Then Pray

is now available on Amazon Kindle.

 

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2026 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.