DEVOTION BY Anita van der Elst POSTED 7/14/2026 6:00:01 AM
So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:7 NLT
I’m a list maker. My smartphone helps me out. It has a reminder app where I key in tasks for specific days, from house-cleaning chores to when library books are due to Bible verses I’m memorizing. It points me in the right direction and keeps me on track.
The enemy of my soul keeps lists too. He uses them to point his finger at me as he goes down the lineup of accusations. “What kind of believing Christian are you when you’re so anxious about going to the dentist that you have to take prescription medication?” and “Why aren’t you giving more at church?”
If the current inventory isn’t long enough, the enemy pulls one out from the archive. “Remember that time you lost your temper and slapped your child in the face? How about when you spent too much money and lied to your husband about it?” It’s enough to discourage and dishearten me for years, regardless of having confessed and repented.
How wonderful to see that God points at me as an example of His great grace and mercy at work in me (Ephesians 2:7). I haven’t done anything to gain His attention, nor can I boast of anything regarding my salvation. What a relief that it’s all because of His grace and kindness toward me, along with all those who believe and trust in Jesus Christ. When Satan pulls out the list of shame and waves it in my face, I can show him my own list where God’s grace and mercy are written in red.
So, when your enemy waves the list of shame in your face, remind him that you are an example of God’s grace and kindness.
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Anita van der Elst finds joy in creating with words, believing God gifted her with the desire to do so. Married to her best friend, Edward, since 1976, she is a proud mom of four adult children and Oma to two of the most delightful grandchildren ever. Other joys in her life include bringing beauty to Facebook through photos she takes on her iPhone, facilitating a small women’s group at church, and mentoring a few friends who also desire to write.