Gracious moments surrounded me.  Husband, wife, son, and friend engaged in a rhythm that flowed with utter goodness. Words of kindness, showing favour, and demonstrations of compassionate care were intermingled and palpable. Our dear friend, who knows of limited days, ended our brief time together in prayer. His steadfast, certain faith continues to give life to others.

Moments like these remind us that God, who is the epitome of what is gracious, is not distant and far away.  We experience and live that which is gracious, even in sorrow, because what fills our hearts and lives is the presence of the living God. In the Bible, those who know the Lord cannot help but speak of this characteristic. “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Psalm 86:15).

When God passed by Moses, giving him the Ten Commandments for the second time, he said his own name twice and then “heaped up words that acquaint us with and convince us of God's goodness” (Wesley).  “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6).  Whenever we say someone’s name twice it is because we want someone to be more attentive. God wanted Moses to really hear and know who he was so he could communicate this to others. God speaks with the same fervour to us.

God, known to us in Jesus is a tender companion. He is gracious; filled with freedom and kindness.  His compassion and good-will do not end. He is slow to anger. In this he “delays the executions of his justice, he waits to be gracious, and lengthens out the offers of his mercy. He is abundant in goodness and truth. This speaks plentiful goodness; it abounds above our deserts.  Springs of mercy are always full, the streams of mercy always flowing; there is mercy enough in God, enough for all, enough for each, enough for ever” (Wesley).

God desires to heap up words that will draw us to know who he is, turning us to him to experience the fullness of these words. Then, we share him with others. How gracious. Who is the God you have come to know? Is your picture of God in keeping with who he says he is?

Paul reminds us that in Jesus the gracious acts of God permeate our coming and going with his gracious life-giving presence.

“But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved— and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms—all because of what Christ Jesus did. And now God can always point to us as examples of how very, very rich his kindness is, as shown in all he has done for us through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-7).

574: Blessèd And Glorious King

1. Blessed and glorious king,
To Thee our praise we bring
In this glad hour.
Thou God of peace and love,
Thou Christ enthroned above,
Spirit whose fruit is love,
Display Thy power.

2. Come to our hearts and bless,
Give strength and happiness,
And every good.
Direct and safely lead,
Supply each daily need
For thought and word and deed,
Most gracious God.

3. Grant to Thy people all
Thy grace for every call,
In this their day;
That heart and life may be
In joyful harmony,
United, Lord, with Thee,
Life, truth and way.

Together we pray Psalm 67:1-4

“May God be gracious to us and bless us
   and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth, 
   your salvation among all nations.
May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
   may all the peoples praise you. AMEN.

With care and in prayer,