Grace Moments - Devotional by Mary Pinckney

“…and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.” Exodus 33:19 (NASB)

In the movie, “The Shack”, there is a judgment scene. The angel and the young father discuss how God could forgive people that commit horrible acts. The father was placed in a position to judge what would happen to these people and then given the opportunity to judge one of his children to be condemned to hell because of their own wrongdoing. At that moment, it became clear to him that God shows grace to each of his children because of his love for us. God’s grace transcends understanding.

The issue of judgment is never an easy one. When the decision is left up to us, we might choose condemnation over grace. If we choose to step into God’s position as judge and condemn the actions of others, we’ll often forget about the grace moments we have received.

God doesn’t weigh sin the way we have a tendency to do. In his eyes, missing the mark is all the same. When we choose to step into the shoes of the one that violated us instead, witnessing where they stand and why they chose the path they did, we begin to see the need to extend compassion. It is then we recognize why God is the ultimate judge.

His choice of who receives his grace is based upon the heart of the individual and never solely on their actions. We may look at the outward appearance and actions, but God bases his decision of grace on so much more.

Father, teach me to see people through your gracious eyes and not through my own narrow view. I realize that I, too, have sinned and fallen short when it comes to living by your standards. Help me I pray to never take your grace moments for granted in my own life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Go Deeper — Take a moment to journal about the times that God has extended grace to you throughout your life. It often helps in the moments we need to extend grace to others to recall what he has done for you.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission