“The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you.” – Numbers 6:25
The Grace of God
The LORD be gracious to you. As we continue to look at this blessing, we continue to see the character of God revealed. Today we look at the attribute of graciousness. We have no claim against the grace of God. We do not deserve the mercy He shows us. If we did it wouldn’t be grace it would be merit. To show grace to someone implies a relationship involving an inferior and superior party. When it comes to man and God the gulf couldn’t be greater. The universe and everything in it belong to our Creator God. Us, we are just empty vessels with open hands. Helpless creation dependent upon a benevolent Creator. Where would we be without the grace of God? Dead in our sins!
The Love of God
God is love. Because He is love He showers His grace. Even if He is not loved in return it is His nature to love. Unconditionally. No man loves with a love so pure. No man loves with such an unconditional love as God does. It’s not possible. God blesses us. He kneels, coming down to our level, to give us gifts. He keeps us. He places a hedge of thorns around us to protect us. He makes his face to shine upon us. He favors us with a smile to lift our spirits. God is gracious to us by manifesting His love to us.
The Compassion of God
God is compassionate. He not only gives us what we do not deserve, He withholds what we do deserve. “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will no always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:8-10). God does not dismiss our sin. Our sin deserves judgment. Our disobedience grieves our Heavenly Father. Because He is gracious He exercises patience. He gives us time to repent. When we do, “He does not deal with us according to our sins, or repay us according to our iniquities.” Instead, He punishes His Son. God is gracious to us by manifesting His compassion to us.
Hhanan
The word translated gracious in the original is hhanan. According to Ancient Hebrew Research Center this word, “Is often paralleled with other Hebrew words meaning healing, help, being lifted up, finding refuge, strength, and rescue. Our needs are many. Think of this list as it pertains to our needs and compare with Biblical references that pertain to God’s meeting those needs. We need healing, God is the great physician. “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3). Help? “I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). We need lifting up. “I waited patiently for the LORD; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure” (Psalm 40:1-2). Need refuge or strength? “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). Need to be rescued (of course you do)? “For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I Myself will search for My sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out My sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Ezekiel 34:11-12).
God is gracious. The above list is by no means exhaustive. Neither in regards to our needs or God’s grace in meeting those needs. I am sure that as you look at the list other verses probably came to your mind. I hope so. We are empty vessels with open hands. God’s grace cannot be exhausted. He can feed multitudes with a couple of fish and a few loaves and still have plenty left over. Even after everyone is satisfied (that’s the real miracle)!
Grace & The Cross
We can not talk about the grace of God without talking about the cross. When our need was greatest, God’s grace shone brightest. The great gulf that separated us from God was sin. God spanned it with the cross. We were the scattered sheep lost in clouds and thick darkness. God searched us out. The Lamb of God hung on the cross for the lost sheep. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25). “For because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself.” (John 12:32) “How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings” (Matthew 23:37). “In the shadow of your wings I will take refuge” (Psalm 57:1). “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (2 Timothy 2:18).
“The LORD be gracious to you.” A once empty vessel with open hands, now overflowing with the Grace of God. Like the story of Elisha and the widow, there is more oil (grace) than there are vessels to hold it. (2 Kings 4:1-7) Thank God for His graciousness. In His grace He meets our needs. Even those we are unaware of. When we were dead in our sins, He made us alive in Christ. Amazing Grace. How can it be? Christ bore on sins on Calvary!