Title: Those Who Receive God's Grace
Exodus (98) Those who receive God's grace
(Ex 33:12-19)
< What belongs to those who have received grace >
Although the Israelites betrayed God because of their worship of the golden calf, Moses sought grace and specifically requested that the Israelites be God's people (verses 12-13). And they petitioned that they should not be sent to the land of Canaan without God, and asked for a sure sign that they knew that they were a set apart people with God's favor (verses 15-16). At that time, when God said that Moses would grant his request because he was the one who received God's favor, Moses asked God to show him the glory of God again (verses 17-18).
In spite of such unreasonable demands, God said that he would let all his good things pass before Moses, and that he would proclaim God's name before Moses, showing mercy to whom he would show mercy and showing mercy to whom he would show mercy (verse 19). Why was God willing to grant Moses' unreasonable or rude request? It is said that Moses was the one who would receive favor and will receive mercy. Looking at this scene, we realize that the most necessary thing for believers is ‘grace’.
What happens when you receive grace? To those who have received grace, ‘samsa’ arises. First, ‘beautiful’ is created. The word 'beautiful' means 'reliable', and those who receive grace become reliable. Second, ‘pretty’ is created. They act pretty, they talk pretty, and they actually look pretty. Third, 'busy' arises. Those who have received grace are never lazy and do not lose the purpose of life while busy doing God's work.
Another remarkable characteristic of those who have been particularly favored is the fact that the word of God is heard graciously. Like the lyrics of a hymn, God's words sound like heavenly music. If you wish to hear God's word graciously and open your heart, the word becomes grace, and when the word becomes grace, the true grace of God is given.
<People who receive God's grace>
Who is favored? The sovereignty to give grace belongs only to God (v. 19), but roughly it is given to those who: First, it is given to those who love Jesus unchangingly. When you feel good, you love, and when you don't love, you don't love. When you are emotionally ups and downs, there is no grace. Those who keep unspoken promises, such as the Sunday Holy Water and the promise of the Daily Morning Prayer Meeting, to meet at the promised place on the promised day, rain or shine, receive grace.
Second, it is given to the humble. Sometimes, there are people who look down on the outside but are not humble inside. Such a person does not have grace, but if they become truly humble vessels, God will give them abundant grace. In particular, the most important aspect of humility in our religious life is “Yes!” in God’s Word. and obedience.
Third, it is given to those who come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). There are common characteristics of people who live a good life of faith. It means that there is an overflowing thirst for God. Who meets God? People who have a desire to meet God meet. If you worship God with earnest longing for God, praise becomes grace, the Word becomes grace, the time to come a little early to prepare for worship with prayer becomes grace, and everything becomes grace.
The most important prayer of the saints is this prayer. "God! Give my soul a thirst! Even if it is easy to live and there are no problems, don’t let that thirst go away!” Like, “God! I desperately need God.” With the confession of longing for God, the soul can live, taste God's grace, hear God's voice, and life becomes more serious and mature. After all, there is no life as blessed as a life with a longing for God.
I really like the morning prayer time, and I especially feel God's grace overflowing at that time. No matter how much pain and anxiety you have the day before, if you wake up with a sigh and get up on your knees at dawn, you will feel the pain and anguish disappear before you know it. Also, God gives the most enlightenment at dawn. That is why I look forward to the early morning hours every day, and since I have such earnest expectations, I am filled with grace in proportion to that. God is always ready to bless you. Who gets that blessing? Above all, those who long for grace receive it.