I once had a difficult interaction with one of my sons. He had made several poor choices requiring a serious conversation. My son had a tender heart, however (as he often does), and he took responsibility for his behavior. Though I was frustrated with him, I told him that I forgave him. Later, aware that something was still bothering my son, I asked what was going on. “Well,” he replied, “you said you forgave me, but you didn’t exactly say it in a lovely tone.” My son picked up how I offered the right words, but the way I spoke told a different story. I said I forgave him, but I didn’t interact with a tone of grace.
The prophet Isaiah wrote to God’s people, warning them of the hardships they would endure because of their stubborn and persistent refusal to be true to the One to whom they belonged. Even though the “darkness as black as night covers all the nations of the earth,” this darkness would not ultimately consume Judah (Isaiah 60:2). In fact, eventually the very nations God had used to get the attention of God’s people would be the same “foreigners [who] will come to rebuild [their] towns” (Isaiah 60:10). God’s entire posture was, beginning to end, infused with grace. Even His sternness came wrapped in grace.
The families of God’s people would be reunited. The temple, as well as Jerusalem, would return to its magnificence and glory (Isaiah 60:1-3). The people would erupt in joy and revelry. All would be well. All would be grace.
When God forgives us, He forgives us through and through—holding nothing back. He doesn’t harbor resentment or look at us with disdain. It’s not merely that He chooses to make a gracious gesture toward us, for His tone is gracious and kind.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 32:1-29
More:
Read Psalm 139:17-18. How does the psalmist describe God’s thoughts concerning us? Does the idea of God having “precious” thoughts about you change the way you think He views you?
Next:
Where is it most difficult for you to believe that God always moves toward you with grace? How would it change your posture toward God (and yourself) if you believed that God’s heart is always gracious toward you?
BearPair on February 16, 2016 at 2:17 am
What a great, true story of encouragement, Winn, one that illustrates so clearly the height of God’s standards! Thanks for sharing this often-overlooked demonstration of God’s redeeming grace, as well as reminding us that it’s not just what we do, but how we do it that really counts!
gagirllive on February 16, 2016 at 7:46 am
This is an insightful topic, Winn…one that should be closely examined. I think a lot of believers struggle with this. As a young and new Christian, I misjudged God’s disposition toward me. It had a lot to do with my background and how that played into my perceptions. But as I continued to grow in the Word, I began to “hear” God’s voice…His heart…His tone, and I learned that He was not “mad” at me. Trusting in Christ’s substitutionary death should have convinced me, but somehow that didn’t translate. I knew He loved me, but did He like me? It took a while before I realized that His disposition toward me is nothing but grace. That changed my whole view towards Him and freed my heart to trust Him. So it really is critical that we think truthfully about God’s “tone” towards us. Psalm 139 is a great place to camp out to concerning this. Your post is going to bless lots of folks today, Winn. Thanks!
Winn Collier on February 16, 2016 at 4:31 pm
trusting that God likes you – that’s a big step there.
Tom Felten on February 16, 2016 at 8:46 am
Winn, I’m reminded of a tender conversation I had with a man in his 80s a few years ago. After a church meeting, I found him sitting alone and weeping. I asked him if I could help in any way, and he turned—with tears in his eyes—and said, “You know, just recently I’ve finally come to know God’s grace. What took me so long?” He had been a believer in Jesus for decades, but had not truly tasted the fullness of God’s grace. May we drink deep of His grace today and lavish it others!
sdwise on February 16, 2016 at 9:40 am
Tom, You can not know how profoundly encouraging your conversation with the 80 year old man is for me to continue to minister to seniors of the same age who seem to be set in thier own ways. This came at just the right time to remind me that it is never too last for someone to come to really know Jesus! Thank you for being the bearer of a blessing!
sandy229 on February 16, 2016 at 9:48 am
One is never too old to experience God’s grace.
Tom Felten on February 16, 2016 at 10:16 am
Praise God! So glad this story encouraged you . . . the man’s tears, I believe, were a mix of both remorse and joy. Grace received can be such a transforming thing!
Winn Collier on February 16, 2016 at 4:31 pm
That’s a good, good story. Thanks.
Regina Franklin on February 16, 2016 at 6:56 pm
Winn–what a powerful truth, “All would be well. All would be grace.” In walking through times of distress, whether we are being corrected by the Lord or experiencing the friction of relationships with others, I want my life to be marked by the “wellness” and “grace” of God. Thanks for sharing.