“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty,” – Exodus 34:6-7a ESV
Gracious
– Starting with giving you something good, that you do not deserve, and the faithfully continuing to give
– A heartfelt response by someone who has something to give to one who has a need
“You, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Look down on have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me,” – Psalm 86:15-16
“He revealed his character to Moses and his deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” – Psalm 103:7-8
“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness. The Lord is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. The Lord is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” – Psalm 145:5-9
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.” – Psalm 25:16
“Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes.” (…because of my iniquity” – Psalm 31:9
“Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” – Psalm 51:1-2
“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet…We must celebrate…this sone of mine was dead had now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” – Luke 15:22-24
What do we learn?
God is gracious and merciful, constantly giving love.
What should we do?
- Write down ways in which God has been gracious to you. Thank God!
- Read these verses and write down what you believe about God.
- Include what you believe about God in your prayer.
- Share what you are learning with someone else.
“May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” – Numbers 6:25-26