Many years ago, a poor orphan advertised her piano recitals in order to raise funds. Posters boldly declared that she was a pupil of the celebrated Hungarian pianist Franz Liszt—a blatant lie. To her horror, she discovered that Liszt was coming to the village where she was giving the concert. With trepidation she requested an interview with him, sobbed out her confession, and awaited his stern rebuke. Liszt acknowledged that she had been wrong, but recognized her repentance and asked her to play for him. At first she stumbled over her notes, but as she grew in confidence, she played well. He corrected her a few times and said, “My dear, now I have given you a lesson. You are a pupil of Liszt. Go on with your concert and put on the program that the last piece will be played, not by the pupil, but by the master.”
Franz Liszt had every right to expose the girl as a liar; yet he showed mercy, covering her shame and celebrating her. In the same way, God showed us His mercy as Jesus bore all our sins on the cross. He even went so far as to delight in us (Romans 8:3; Zephaniah 3:17).
When a defiant and rebellious Israel questioned God’s faithfulness, He urged them to recall the many stories that proved otherwise (Micah 6:1-5). Micah the prophet, lamenting the misguided views of his people, rattled off some wrong ways they thought they could appease the Lord (Micah 6:6-7).
Sin exposes us to guilt, and the more we try to make amends in our own strength, the worse it can get. The prophet Micah reminded Israel, however, that all God requires of us is “to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Just as we’ve received God’s mercy, may we show mercy to those who have wronged us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Exodus 4:1-17
More:
Read John 13:35 and James 1:27 where we’re reminded that our love for one another and our care for those on the edges of society prove we’re true disciples of Jesus.
Next:
What does it mean for you to receive the mercy God has extended to us? Who can you offer mercy to today?
Gary Shultz on February 3, 2017 at 5:39 am
Hi Ruth: A great account, when the master shows up all of our efforts pail. For the story to have happen great insight and wisdom had to be shown by Liszt. He had learned and understood grace and mercy. Not only did he understand how it worked, he understood what could be done and accomplished by it. To understand, Liszt had to have had “grace experience”. Once again we are pointed to God’s wisdom with mankind. God is interested in what we believe, not as much how we behave. As the man Liszt knew behavior would follow belief, so God places the greater emphasis on what is in the heart. To receive God grace is to have been given the greatest gift of all because grace stands with love and mercy. To show grace will be to show a deep understanding of God and love for another. I think there are times for justice, but God really, really likes grace. Thank God for the love He had for us through Jesus. Thanks Ruth
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on February 3, 2017 at 6:09 am
Agreed Gary – When we’ve experienced the great grace and mercy of our Heavenly Father, we are quick to forgive those who have wronged us and generously show mercy and grace to them. Have a great day and weekend.
hsnpoor on February 3, 2017 at 11:22 am
“God is interested in what we believe, not as much how we behave”. That’s a good word, Gary, that I heartily concur with, though I’m sure there are many reading this who don’t agree. Throughout ALL of scripture, the main thing is the main thing and that main thing is belief. If we rightly believe, we can truly rightly behave. If we do not rightly believe, we can & will falsely rightly behave and our God knows the difference and He’s the only one who counts. Our God says acceptable worship is that which is offered in spirit and in truth. For me, that means my worship must be rooted and grounded in what I believe about WHO God is, not by practicing rituals of righteousness because, in fact, outside of God, there is no righteousness in me and those practiced rituals become nothing more and nothing less than “filthy rags” set before a Holy & Righteous God.
don777 on February 3, 2017 at 7:01 am
Woe is me, that would not forgive others, The Grace (undeserved favor) & mercy that God poured out on a retch like me, Who am I not to forgive, Lord let me reflect on the Love that you poured out on me (THE CROSS ) It was My sin whipped you,It was My sin that spit on you, It was My sin that slapped/punched you, It was My sin that nailed you to that Cross,, Woe is me, Oh Lord Forgive. Your Love melts my heart in order to forgive others. It is only by Your Love that heals
gagirllive on February 3, 2017 at 7:24 am
“Your Love melts my heart in order to forgive others.” Amen, don777. I’m right there with you, brother.
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on February 3, 2017 at 7:37 am
When we realize that our forgiveness of others does not condone their sin, but rather and more wonderfully, frees us from bitterness, how can we not choose to forgive. Forgiveness does not necessarily mean that we trust someone who has wronged us or hurt us, but in choosing to forgive, we are released from a destructive hold that person may haveon our lives. We begin to see them through God’s eyes and can eventually love them as God loves them.
gagirllive on February 3, 2017 at 8:01 am
Amen, Ruth. May I piggy-back on what you’ve shared here with this? “Forgiveness and being forgiven are all of one piece; in giving we receive, accepting those who have injured us we open ourselves to God’s acceptance. There is no sequence of time or priority. The two are one. Anyone who loves God shows it in neighbor-love. The rush of God’s strength, which brings forgiveness, gives in turn the ability to forgive—and forgive again.” (David Augsburger—The New Freedom of Forgiveness)
don777 on February 3, 2017 at 8:11 am
There is a difference in Trust & Forgiveness. Forgiveness is a command & Trust is earned.
gagirllive on February 3, 2017 at 8:28 am
You’re absolutely right! I think the real work of forgiveness is reconstructing the relationship (the goal of forgiveness)…and that can be VERY hard. Trust has to be earned again and that takes time. Sometimes it’s not possible or wise, depending on the circumstances. But we can still forgive, right?
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on February 3, 2017 at 8:42 am
Absolutely right don777 Love and Forgiveness are both commands. May God grant us the grace we need and empower us by the Holy Spirit to obey His commands.
gagirllive on February 3, 2017 at 7:21 am
Hi, Ruth. It seems to me that we live in a world where we get a lot of pleasure in “calling people out”—exposing their faults and failures for all to see. Just watch the evening news or surf social media. Sadly, I even see this in Christian circles sometimes. It’s true that our ability to dispense grace and mercy is directly correlated to how well of a recipient we’ve been of the same. When we have genuine intimate knowledge of how much we are loved, forgiven, and graced by God, it changes us so that we are able to project that toward others. The master pianist in your story reflected the heart of God so beautifully as the girl came before him in repentance. He called her out privately—exposing her without shaming her—as he acknowledged her wrongdoing and righted her wrong. Not only was he merciful and gracious to her but he demonstrated real love, for it protects (1 Cor. 13: 7) and covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4: 8). I wonder how often do we protect and cover someone’s infractions against us? We have opportunities everyday in our relationships to demonstrate this kind of love and grace, as we are all broken, rough around the edges, and in great need of mercy. May we not be so quick to expose those sharp and jagged places in one another but instead be humble dispensers of the amazing grace we have so generously received. By doing so we fulfill the Micah mandate. And you’re exactly right—that’s what God wants. 🙂 Thank you for this encouragement today, Ruth. It’s been good for my heart. A blessed weekend to you and all my fellow travelers. ♡
Ruth O'Reilly-Smith on February 3, 2017 at 7:59 am
Beautifully said, as always gagirllive. I think our lack of confidence or pride often causes us to react in anger rather than respond in love and with grace. As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit and fall more in love with Jesus, may we pause before we respond and consider our thoughts and words carefully and gratefully show grace and heap mercy on those who need it most. Have a lovely weekend.
hsnpoor on February 3, 2017 at 11:37 am
GG, I concur that your comment was incisive and instructive, full of God’s grace and mercy. Ruth this was a wonderful devotion and the illustrated story was beautiful! On the way into work today, I was listening to Chuck Swindoll on the radio. He was teaching out of Genesis 3, which seems to be coming up with alarming frequency in my life lately; which means I need to pay attention. In so doing, what stood out to me is that, yes, we must forgive as we’ve been forgiven; no doubt about that. But, in this story and I also believe according to scripture, the starting point of the forgiveness trail began with the young woman’s confession and repentance of her sin. With that starting point, look how beautifully the story unfolded. It makes me wonder how things might have been different for all of us if Adam & Eve had chosen to confess & repent of their sin before God, when he gave them an opportunity to do so, rather than beginning the seemingly never ending pattern of blaming others (in effect, blaming God) for our sin & failures.
gagirllive on February 4, 2017 at 10:53 am
Kim, I wanted to come back to this with you because I believe you hit the nail on the head, dear sister. I have spent considerable time in prayer and reading about this. Some may think I’m out in left field on this (Yikes!—twice in one week!), but if God’s forgiveness toward us is contingent upon our acknowledgement/confession/ repentance of sin and need for His redeeming grace, and if we are instructed to forgive one another “just as” God in Christ has forgiven us, then maybe we should consider how that plays out. Unrepentant sinners do not have the gift of God’s forgiveness. However, God is ALWAYS in a “position” to forgive them. He waits with the gift extended, on the ready to give it to those who humbly turn to Him. So I wholeheartedly agree with you—the first step toward forgiveness on the “offender’s” part needs to be an acknowledgement and confession of their wrong doing. The “offended one” can not give this gift in its fullness until that happens. The challenge is that we (the offended ones) must prepare our heart so that it is in the position to give this gift of forgiveness to the offender. Is this still forgiveness? I think so. It just has not and can not, I believe, reach full circle until the offender has made some effort to acknowledge and confess their wrongdoing. The whole goal of forgiveness is reconciliation—restoring the relationship. And that can’t happen until the offender and the offended one take their positions and begin the walk toward healing. Like you said about Eden, wouldn’t relationships be a whole lot easier if things played out like this? Forgiveness is a gift that has to be received for both the giver and the recipient to truly enjoy it. We can’t force someone to take it, but we need to do all we can to make its offer known. That in itself is hard for us. I know God requires us to respond like He does and position our hearts to give this wonderful gift—whether in part, as much as we can offer it, or in full when it is received. Hmm…a lot to consider.
hsnpoor on February 4, 2017 at 4:13 pm
I’m so glad you came back because you really fleshed this out in your own unique & “well-read” style. I’m glad I came back to look too! I’ve really been noodling about a personal relationship that went south a few months back and this devotion just really opened up my heart & mind and gave me some insight as to how/why I haven’t been able to really let it go. Ruth, thank you for this devotion and GG, thank you for your input and standing with me, Sister, as I noodle and journey through this wild ride home. Love you, especially when you go to that field to the left…: )
Tom Felten on February 3, 2017 at 9:31 am
Ruth, such a powerful story that echoes the grace of our amazing God. These words from Jesus resonate: “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love” (Luke 7:47). The power of grace and forgiveness is truly transforming.
samgaskill on February 3, 2017 at 9:58 am
This is such a beautiful conversation . . . . . . so thankful for the Holy Spirit’s prompting of each one’s thoughts and the common thread of grace, love and mercy. I was lead to think about Luke 7:47 as did Tom and rejoice to know that God forgives, that we may love . . . . Him and one another. May all who gather here to teach, share and grow be blessed with God’s unfathomable mercy, grace and love. Amen.