God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. Romans 5:20 (NLT)
A Pastor friend of mine was just recently sharing a story with me about his friend Jorge, who was held up at gunpoint. A young man pulled out a huge hand gun, stuck it in Jorge’s neck and said “Give me your IPad,” to which Jorge complied. The robber was quickly identified through photos and was later arrested and Jorge’s IPad was recovered.
Although this could have been the end of the story for Jorge, his heart began to hurt for the young man who robbed him. Together along with my pastor friend, Jorge paid a visit to Daquan in jail. They told Daquan that they loved him, forgave him, and that they truly wanted to help him and thus a bond was formed between the three men.
With an invitation from Daquan’s court appointed lawyer and through a series of Divine events, Jorge and my pastor friend went to court. As they stood before the judge they appealed to him for grace and mercy, with a promise to be a part of Daquan’s life and help mentor him in following the right path God had for him.
The judge was overwhelmed by their outpouring of love for Daquan and said to him, “Young man. My intention was to send you to prison for a few years, but because of these two men I am going to give you a second chance.” Based on court procedure Daquan was still expected to spend that weekend in jail, but to my friend and Jorge’s amazement he walked into the doors of the church that Sunday morning, where Jorge and the men of the church gathered around him and prayed.
Daquan had made up his mind that he was going to rob someone at gunpoint that day. God arranged it so that it was “the right hold up.” As I learn more and more about the grace of God, I am realizing that even in my mistakes and failures His grace and mercy is already waiting for me in far greater measure.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Aren’t you glad to know that God didn’t wait for you and I to get our act together before He shed His blood. No, He did it before we even knew what sin was and even before we realized that we needed an Savior.
Today, be encouraged in knowing that even if you stumble, fall, or just flat out blow it, His grace is much more greater and was there the whole time.
Today’s Thought: His grace and mercy is far greater than your greatest failure.