Rocky Lost, Grace Found

In the third teaching of LifeChangers, Understanding True Grace, Graham Cooke makes this statement about Grace, “If Grace is designed to overwhelm you, then it is designed to overwhelm everything that opposes you.”

Elaine Rice and her family had just gotten a new puppy, Rocky, before moving from Georgia to Pennsylvania. Rocky lived up to his name fully! He loved to jump the fence to chase anything he saw moving – squirrels, deer, birds, butterflies. You name it, Rocky chased it.

Elaine’s family lives in a rural area and their property backs up to a 400 acre tract of land that is all woods. It is filled with living creatures and provides many opportunities for Rocky to jump the fence in wild, unrestrained pursuit of anything that catches his attention.

Even though Rocky had only been a part of the family for two years, during that time, they had grown accustomed to his routine. See something move. Jump the fence. Run in the woods, barking and in quick pursuit. They had learned that Rocky always returned home when he tired of the chase – usually within the hour.

This particular day started out like all the rest. Something moved and caught Rocky’s eye and over the fence he went, barking all the way. Time pasted and, no Rocky. The family kept looking out, expecting to see him, possibly napping to restore his puppy strength after the adventure. To complicate matters, because the family had moved, Rocky was not familiar with his surroundings.

Thinking that too much time had passed, the family began to go outside, calling his name. “Rocky!” Rocky!” “Here boy!” Praying as they went, some got in the car and began to drive doing the same, “Rocky! Rocky!” Silence.

He was gone the rest of the day and night was approaching. He was unfamiliar with the area and if you are an animal lover, you know, heart strings are being tugged upon and a sick feeling begins to overtake the senses. The whole family felt terrible.

Elaine returned to working on the assignments for Understanding True Grace. Praying for Rocky’s safety while she worked, brushing away the tears, she saw another Grace statement. Grace takes all the sting out of conflicts. When the enemy is radically opposing us, Grace only needs to be adequate to deal with him. Those words, ringing with truth, brought comfort to Elaine.

The next morning there was still no Rocky. No barking. No tail wagging. Elaine’s family had appointments that took them in different directions. As Elaine headed out, she began to pray. “Lord, prove Your Grace to me!”

Within 5 minutes, Elaine received a phone call from her Pastor’s wife. “Elaine, I’ve just seen a German Shepherd up on Bethlehem Hill. Is your dog lost?”

As she went back to look for the dog, Rocky once lost, was now found. God proved His amazing Grace to Elaine and her family.

There will be times in life when situations happen and our hearts will be caught up in our throats. Fear will attempt to set in. Our heart will race, as will our minds, as we look frantically for a solution to resolve our crisis.

Here are a few promises to hide in your hearts for times of trouble.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

Psalm 91:15 When they call on Me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.

Psalm 34:17-18 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Psalm 145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.