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His Grace
Justin SmithExodus 22:25-27
“If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest. If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets,for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.”
I’ll be the first to admit that reading through this section of ordinances and commands can be a bit daunting, and the temptation to skip this section altogether to get to the “good stuff”, the New Testament, relentlessly pokes at me as I laboriously read through the rules set for donkeys, oxen, slaves, and even dowries for those you desire to take as your wife. “I mean, how will I ever apply this to my life? It’s the 21st century, so what’s the point of suffering through this section of reading?”
And then it hit me, an eternal Truth to be treasured, a piece of God’s character that, if I even begin to grasp, will forever transform me and my outlook on life. This promise, this blessing, this gift that only He can give that has been offered freely to me. In the midst of laws, regulations, and seemingly loveless legal jargon God declares, “And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.” Where did this come from? An eye for an eye, demanded repayment, and harsh consequences for each wrongdoing, and then out of nowhere God brings something into the conversation that changes it all…His grace. Even though the lender is justified in keeping the coat, even though he deserves to keep the coat, God’s grace supersedes. His grace, granted in His goodness, His undeserved favor, followed by His fervent love, in the center of laws, commands, and demands completely changes everything.
Today, my heart is refreshed in His grace. In the midst of the commands and demands of life, the regulations and requirements of following Him, I can rest in His grace. In the face of my failures and shortcomings, my inabilities and lack, I will choose to rest in His grace. When times are good and blessings are abundant I am assured that He hears. He hears my praises, He hears my thanks, He hears my prayers of rejoicing, and He is gracious. Likewise, when times are difficult, when I’m in the midst of hardship, struggle, and stretching, when my strength and faith are wearing thin and I cry out to Him, I am assured that He hears and He is gracious, which changes everything. Today, my heart is refreshed in His grace.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your grace. In the midst of commands, rules, and regulations, I choose to rest in your grace knowing that in Jesus you hear me and you love me unconditionally. Today, I will choose to walk in your grace and live for you.
In Jesus' name, Amen
