I have forty three years of human experience. The further I go down this road called life, the more apparent my need for God’s mercy and grace grows. His mercy and grace wash into my heart through the ministry of the Holy Spirit; I’m refreshed and relieved. But then my need for more begins to reveal itself again. My need only grows more pressing. How about you?
Scripture is the Spirit’s main conduit for delivering truth about God’s mercy and grace. I can’t tell you how often I’ve read my Bible and been relieved by the truth about God. This has happened repeatedly as I’ve worked my way through the book of Haggai.
In chapter one God steered the Israelites out of the ditch of misplaced priorities through His prophet Haggai. For something close to 16 years, the people focused on decorating their homes instead of building the temple. After the people responded to the Lord’s rebuke, God stirred their hearts and they began to build again. He said, “I am with you” and blessed them before they worked.
Mercy and grace is given to those with a chronic need!
About a month later, in 2:1-9, the Lord sent Haggai again. The people knew the temple they were trying to build was nothing compared to the one that had been destroyed. God encouraged them by reminding them He was with them. He told them how things would eventually turn out — the glorious temple of the past would pale in comparison to the temple God would complete in the future. He didn’t fuss about the 16 years. He didn’t fuss about their lack of progress over the past month. He encouraged them.
Mercy and grace is given to those with a shady past and little to show in the present.
About two months later, the Lord sent word to the people a third time:
“Thus says the Lord of Hosts, ‘Ask now the priests for a ruling; if a man carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and touches bread with this fold, or cooked food, wine, oil, or any other food, will it become holy?’” And the priests answered and said, “No.” Then Haggai said, “If one who is unclean from a corpse touches any of these, will the latter become unclean?” And the priests answered and said, “It will become unclean.” 2:11-13
Does holy meat make anything it touches holy? The answer is “No.”
Does the unclean person make anything he touches unclean? The answer is “Yes.”
God is using two questions to make a point about the uncleanliness of the people. Not only had they been unclean, the sixteen years of misplaced priorities had far reaching effects. 2:14 says, “‘So is this people. And so is this nation before Me.’ declares the Lord, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.’” The choice to panel their homes instead of build the temple had not only stained their hearts; it stained their work and their worship.
We would like to think our stubborn sin is contained like a bird in a box. It’s more like radioactive material in a paper bag!
God hadn’t ignored the problem, 2:17 says, “‘I smote you and every work of your hands with blasting wind, mildew, and hail; yet you did not come back to Me, ‘declares the Lord.”
But look! This isn’t the whole of the story.
“…Do consider from this day onward; before one stone was placed on another in the temple of the Lord…from this day on I will bless you.” 2:15,19
Notice He didn’t say, “When you’ve made up for lost time, I will bless you.” “When you prove that you’re really committed, I will bless you.” “When you at least get started on the walls of the temple, I will bless you.”
Mercy and grace is given unearned.
Notice also He didn’t turn a blind eye to their sin or change His definition of sin. Mercy and grace do not ignore sin or change the definition of sin. Mercy is not getting the discipline we deserve. Grace is getting the blessing we haven’t earned.
Are you a person of chronic need? Do you have a shady past too? Do you have no progress to offer? Do you have no good works to offer? God has something for someone like you and me…mercy and grace. A type of mercy and grace the world cannot offer. A type that springs from the unconditional love of God.
Whether you feel like you’re just down the road from Him or on the other side of the universe, come home. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
Satan would have you keep running and hiding. He will tell you that all will be seen in God’s light. God already sees it! Your wounds will be washed and healed with the mercy and grace of your loving Father.
Come home.
