In a non-classical fashion, I will like to consider grace as God’s quota to man’s efforts. No matter how hard we work, success is not in sight until God makes His own contribution. Psalm 127:1-2 states this most plainly – “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.” 

…consider grace as God’s quota to man’s efforts. No matter how hard we work, success is not in sight until God makes His own contribution.

Success stories in the Bible often emphasize the role of God’s help. Whether it is Isaac weathering through famine, Jacob triumphing over the wiles of Laban, or Joseph overcoming the odds to become a leader in Egypt, God’s input cannot be discounted. This remains the reality even now. Divine input into our affairs can come in a wide variety of ways, but one critical aspect involves guidance. God’s guidance serves as light. Darkness as we know impedes speed; and it also makes for stumbling. To avoid these dangers, God has fitted everyone with a candle. Our passage describes this candle as the “spirit of man”. If a man will therefore keep pace with his spirit and follow every lead, he will never fail or stumble. This also rests on one assumption that the candle is lit. We get our candles lit by the word of God. Interestingly, light is a metaphor for the word of God. The more acquainted we get with the word, the more illumination we can enjoy in our spirit. Those who walk in the light of His word can navigate every dark domain and pull through the valley of despair.