MERCY and GRACE
In GENESIS 22: 10-14 God’s Mercy withheld the knife from Isaac’s heart. God’s Grace provided a ram in the thicket.
Lets hear what GOD, Himself said to Abraham.
10 Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to *kill his son. 11 But the *Angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” he answered, “Here I am.” 12 THE LORD said, “Do not reach out (with the knife in) your hand against the boy, and do nothing to (harm) him; for now I know that you fear God (with reverence and profound respect), since you have not withheld from ME your son, your only son (of promise).” 13 Then Abraham looked up and glanced around, and behold, behind him was a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up for a burnt offering (ascending sacrifice) instead of his son. 14 So Abraham named that place *The LORD Will Provide. And it is said to this day, “On the mountain of the LORD it *will be seen and provided.”
Every time I read this scripture or hear about Abraham’s test of obedience and faith in a sermon; I break out in goose bumps, feel humbled and in awe of God’s goodness and faithfulness to those who obey and listen to Him. I’ve tried to picture one of my own babies or one of my grandchildren, laying in front of me bound down with a rope. Only to know that I am being called by God Almighty Himself, to be willing to plunge a knife into the heart of one of my babies! With complete faith that He (not I) will be reward my faithfulness with His justice and bless me. To the human mind, average or otherwise, this seems frightening and intense at best.
But, reading this also gives me a look into the fragility of human life, God our Father and Creator and death itself. The breaths we breath from the time of our conception until the last earthly one that we will all succumb to at God’s appointed time; is given to us because of His Mercy on mankind after the first disobedience in the garden to His Grace for salvation found only through Jesus Christ. It saddens me when I see people who are so disconnected from the truth and reality of life after death. Some can only wrap their minds around the things of this world, earthly relationships/status, possessions and “their” intentions and works. Nothing could be further from the truth. A couple more examples of God’s Mercy and Grace are as follows.
In LUKE 23:39-42 Mercy heard the cry of the thief on the cross. Grace promised him paradise that day. In EPSHESIONS 2:8-9 Mercy closed the door to hell. Grace opened the door to Heaven.
And we are well to remember, in ROMANS 5:20 Mercy withholds from us what we deserve and Grace gives us what we don’t deserve!
Blessings Always,
Colleen Bruce aka/ Maggie Miller
http://www.inspirationsbycolleen.com
