Deut No.10 Grace

I am pleased to present a careful listing of what is contained within this book. You remember it is really the last word of Moses to the Kingdom of Israel. They have come from the town of Moab, and along they will be moving into the Promised Land.

But shortly before the movement from Moab to Palestine, Moses will be taken from the people. He is an old man. He is down for glory.

And so he declares to him, to the people, his final advice. And it's really a summary of all that he has proclaimed during the years that he has led them over the field of their wilderness wanderings in Samaria and even before in Egypt. And there are lots of things that we have determined can be studied from this book and applied to ourselves in the Tabernacle in Moab.

And this is really, it's my great joy to deal with this theme of growth. There's an awful amount of grace in this book of Deuteronomy. But let's just pause for a moment and think of that word.

And acknowledge that we today owe quite a lot to John Newton for writing the hymn Amazing Grace. How sweet the sound that saves a wreck like me. Because that hymn, as opposed to the one that I quoted actually on the note for you, is one that made the start some while ago.

And quite a lot of people were singing about grace. And the wonder this day really came to an understanding of what that word meant. That at least they had something to go on as they worked their way through the hymn.

For a lot of people their knowledge of grace is sort of restricted to the description of rather peculiar people who before they have a good meal bow their heads and offer a little prayer of thanksgiving. Well that's grace in one respect. But of course it's not all that there is to the biblical definition of grace.

Those who are evangelical Christians know there are tremendous statements in the New Testament that link on to this word grace. And we read that by grace we are saved through faith and not of ourselves. It is the gift of God.

We know that there's a benediction which commences the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. And we can more or less draw this general reduction that grace is a word that is used to describe the benevolent qualities of God towards a people who don't really deserve his goodness. Or perhaps to put it more accurately in a theological context, grace is a free, unmerited, undeserved favor of God.

Remember the story of Martin Luther. There was Luther in his monastery in Germany. He never intended to become a monk.

He intended to be a lawyer. But certain things happened early on in his life and he believed that he might well come under the judgment of God one day. In fact he not only believed that he might well, he was positively sure.

And the very idea it terrified him. So he decided that he'd make himself right with God. He'd engage on a religious vocation.

And if you study the story of Luther in his early years in the monastery you'll find that there was one question which was constantly pouring into the strength of his mind. How can I find a gracious God? How can I find a gracious God? That God existed, Luther believed. But he was a God of judgment.

He was a God of authority. He was a God of law. And Luther was scared of this God.

Sort of in terms of a parent. Like a lady who came into the cabinet some three or four years ago. A brilliant woman.

Perhaps the cleverest woman I have ever met in my life. And she spent her years as a nun. And she turned sour towards her own calling.

And she'd left the life of the nunnery. And she'd moved from Roman Catholicism into atheism. She wrote a devastating book called The Jesus Pope.

And this book came across my way on one occasion. And I discovered that the author actually lived in Worthing. And I was horrified when I read this book.

Because it suggested a woman who had never really come face to face with a gracious God. And I well recall inviting her into the office. And we discussed for a long time.

Perhaps some two hours or so. Maybe three hours. The thesis of her book.

I couldn't match her intellectual argument. But I could tell her this. That the God that she rejected was not the God of the Bible.

It was not the gracious God of the patriarch. Not the gracious God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. But unfortunately I couldn't convince her.

And this lady, who'd spent so long in a religious vocation, went out of my vestry actually. I ran her home. And her last words to me were, although she displayed belief in God, Mr. Sergeant, when you pray, will you pray for me? The final thing that I heard of her was that she took her life just a little while ago.

I mention that. I mention both those incidents of Luther and this woman. Because it will serve to show you again just how contemporary the Word of God is.

Inasmuch as Luther and this lady were looking for a gracious God. And within the Bible. And not, my dear friend, just within the New Testament.

The search of God is to be discovered. You know, there are those who believe. In fact, there used to be an early Christian.

I say Christian, he was really a heretic, writer. In the first couple of centuries. Who made a distinction between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament.

The God of the Old Testament is the God of judgment. A tyrant. A master who looks upon people as his slaves.

But the God of the New Testament, well, he's the greatest God. Who sent Jesus into the world. And all we can say about that sort of notion is, well, it's absolute nonsense.

It's faulty in deductions. It indicates a lack of knowledge, of understanding of the Old Testament revelation. Because, as I shall fit to show you this evening, and I wonder if it surprises you.

That the idea of a gracious God. And the definition, although the word itself is not employed as far as I can discover. Not even in the original language, is not used in this book.

The idea, the definition of the gracious God. Is to be discovered on the pages of Deuteronomy. In fact, I think I use the analogy of many little rigolettes.

Which can be traced, running through this book. All speaking very, very much of grace. And when you track the source of those rigolettes back to its origin.

You discover God. In all His love. And in all His generosity.

So we're told in the 6th chapter and the 10th verse of this book. Of the Lord God. That He is the one who shows mercy unto thousands of them that love Him.

And keep His commandments. Or if you want a stronger remark. Concerning the mercy of God.

Then look at the 7th chapter. And the 9th verse. And here is mercy and grace.

Twinned together. Know therefore that the Lord thy God. He is God.

The faithful God. Which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him. And keepeth commandments to a thousand generations.

If you've got a good memory. You'll recall that at the beginning of this series. I suggested to you.

Three great gifts that God granted to the Hebrews. Which are to be discovered within this book. We had a Bible study you'll recall.

On the leader. Moses. God's gift to the Hebrews.

Then we had a Bible study on the land. The land that God made available. To the Hebrews who were going eventually to inherit the promised land.

And then the last thing that I suggested to you. Was a great gift that God granted to the Hebrews. Was the law.

He gave them a code by which they were to live their lives. Which is to control their lifestyle. Now there are some people who think.

That the opposite to law. Or rather the opposite to grace. Is law.

But if you had a book like Deuteronomy. Which speaks to the ten commandments. And the subsidiary regulations.

Which Moses in the name of God gives to the Hebrews. There can be no grace about that. Grace is kind.

Grace is flexible. Grace is gentle. But law.

Law is rigid. Law is constant. Law is abundance.

And what I want to show you is this. That that's a very false concept. Which some people draw.

Behind the law of God. Is the grace of God. Why did God give the ten commandments to the Israelites? He gave the ten commandments.

Because he wanted the Israelites to show themselves to be a righteous people. In fact in the 25th verse of the 6th chapter of this book. We are told that the end of keeping the law will be righteousness.

Yes, but what caused God to give the law in the first instance? He'd no need to have granted them the law at all. Well it was his gracious heart. He was concerned to have for himself a people.

Who in the keeping of the divine law. Would be righteous before him. And on whom he could pour out many many blessings.

So I want to demonstrate to you this evening. That behind the law of God contained within the book of Deuteronomy. Is his grace.

And you will see here a veritable ocean of grace. Within this book. And we can but take out a few buckets full.

From the ocean. In fact I think in the notes that I give you. I use the analogy of light.

And say that grace is like light. God is the source of light. He generates it.

But when one has received light from God. Grace from God. Then one is to reflect it.

And this is what you will find. God is asking the children of Israel. And by extension ourselves to do in the 20th century.

We have received grace. We have received grace through our Lord Jesus Christ. The grace of the gospel.

It belongs to us. Why does it belong to us? Well to bring honor and glory to the Lord. He is a gracious Lord.

That we are to take those privileges that God has granted to us. And we are to display them. And pass them on to other people.

Well let's have a look at this grace which is exhibited. So very clearly in the book of Deuteronomy. And one wonders where you start.

And I suggested that maybe that little heading of election. Is a good place. From which we can commence.

We all know about elections these days. Which means that I put a number. What was the general election.

And the election to the European community. And we have even had to make one or two decisions here in this local church. But the greatest election to which the Bible makes reference.

Is the way that God in His love. Selects people for the fulfillment of His purposes. Into the story of the Bible.

Last week I said could be called a story of families. Of one family circle. And another family circle.

And you could say that the story of the Bible also is a story of the election. God calls out Abraham. From the era of the Chaldeans.

God calls out a family. And takes them down to Egypt. God calls from Egypt a nation.

And makes it His own. Well it's the elected grace of God. To which Deuteronomy gives a great deal of mention.

Have a look for instance. In the 7th chapter. And there you find what the Lord has to say.

About His choice of the Hebrews. The 6th verse of the 7th chapter. Thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God.

The Lord thy God has chosen thee to be a special people unto Himself. To be above all people that are upon the face of the earth. But why did God choose the Hebrews? Because they had military power? Because there was greater potential amongst the Hebrews.

Towards a religious way of life than any other nation? Because they were great and mighty? No the 7th verse says. The Lord did not set His love upon you nor choose you. Because you were more in number than any people.

For you were the fewest of all people. But because the Lord loved you. He chose you because He loved you.

That's right. Jesus says. You have not chosen me.

But I have chosen you. And ordained you. That you may bear much fruit and be my disciples.

Doesn't it amaze you? That God set His hand upon you. That God pours His gospel to shine into your heart. Bringing with it salvation, blessing.

One of the old Bibles that I've got in my relatively small library. Relative to some libraries at any rate. Has a little verse which I inscribed when I was about 19 years of age.

Just on the fly list. It is not that I did choose the Lord. For Lord that would not be.

This heart would still refuse me. Had Thou not chosen me. God in His grace.

Allows me to hear the gospel. And when I was without feelings for God. He made me sensitive.

To His claims upon my life. That's right. That's what happened to you.

Or else I very much doubt whether you'll be here this evening. That's what happened to the Hebrews. God had elected them.

And that shows. The depth of His grace. How odd is God.

To choose the Jews. Someone has said. And that's quite a reasonable comment to make.

Because they were a very difficult bunch of people. Moses said there were six men. And he had a terrible time with them.

But God set His finger upon them. Because He loved them. Grace is shown through election.

It's also shown in this book through emancipation. This is a story of a great escape. Covid fades into insignificance.

Compared with what you read in Exodus. And Deuteronomy. Here is not the tale of a few people.

Getting out of some German fortress. Here is an incredible narrative. Of a complete community.

Brought out of a boundary. That was severe. The heated furnace of Egypt.

Liberated. Brought into Sarnia. To Jews in the wilderness.

And eventually taken through by Joshua. Into the promised land. The grace of emancipation.

The fourth chapter makes it very clear. That what has happened to the Hebrews. Is unique in the history of the world.

Up to that time. The 32nd verse. For instance.

Of Deuteronomy 4 says. Ask now of the days which have passed. Which were before thee.

Since the day that God created man upon the earth. Ask from the one side of heaven unto the other. Whether there hath been any such thing.

As this great thing is. Or hath been heard like it. See nothing like it before.

No nation has ever been delivered like this one. But continue. Has any other nation known God speak to it like the Hebrews did? Not only did God release them.

He revealed himself to them. Did ever people hear the voice of God. Speaking out of the midst of the fire.

As thou hadst heard and lived. Has God ever taken another community of people. Through that terrible wilderness.

The Sinai Peninsula. And brought them to the brink of the promised land. Only the Israelites.

It is colossal. It is incredible. And the psalmists and the prophets.

In centuries which are yet to be. Shall turn right round. And they will view that historic event.

When God emancipated his people. And preserved them in the wilderness. And they will be feeding the praise of God.

As a result of that physical deliverance. And they will ascribe it to his grace. They will explain it in terms of.

This is what God has done for us. And we didn't deserve it. And when I think of the goodness of Jesus.

And all that he has done for me. My heart cries out. Hallelujah.

Praise God for saving me. He said, Moses look. When your children later on.

Come and they ask you. Why you are keeping the Passover. And why you revere the Ten Commandments.

Then you tell those kids of yours. That you are doing it because God. Emancipated you.

God saved you from the bondage that is in Egypt. Deuteronomy 6.20 And rejoice in the gospel of your physical deliverance. And so Jesus tells the new Israel of God.

Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. And tell men and women who are enslaved in sin. How they can be freed.

By my grace. The grace of election. The grace of emancipation.

But there is another aspect of grace. To which Deuteronomy makes reference. And it is what I have called restoration.

In the colloquial language of modern times. We might say that Moses is a wise old bird. He knew full well what these people would be like.

Given half a chance. Once they are back in the security of Palestine. We forget so soon don't we.

Forget so soon the blessings of God. That is why we need to be told the old old story. Of Jesus and his love.

Because we all like the Hebrew community of yesteryear. They suffered some spiritual amnesia. And Moses postulates the time.

When those people will be fattened by the blessings of the land. And feel that they have no need for God at all. When Yeshua invites back says Moses.

To take. And Moses realising that the children of Israel will backslide. He goes on to say that even the grace of God.

Not the law of God. The law can do nothing about the backslider. But the grace of God will then come into its own.

And verse 29 of the fourth chapter of Deuteronomy. Makes it so clear. Having suggested that as a result of their sinfulness.

Their disobedience shall be scattered across the face of the globe. He says that if from then thou shalt seek the Lord thy God. Thou shalt find him if thou seek him with all thy heart.

And with all thy soul. The grace of restoration. And later on as we have discovered.

Towards the end of Moses' oracle. He repeats this. The God whose message he proclaims is the God of the prodigal.

We saw it, did we not? Two or three centuries ago. When I spoke to you about God bringing his sons back from the wilderness. And demonstrated from the Old Testament.

How you've got all the drama of the prodigal son. In the New Testament. Embedded in the first part of the Bible.

So you see, you can use many arguments to show. How grace is embedded in the book of Deuteronomy. Not just the New Testament concept.

The New Testament brings grace into its own. It takes it into a relief. That the Old Testament doesn't see.

Because the New gives place to the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is the epitome, the essence of the grace of God. But the Old Testament points the way to Jesus.

Points the way to the one who will call unto himself those who must be saved. Points the way to the one who will release from the bondage of sin. Servants of iniquity like ourselves.

Points to one who will restore the backslider. And this grace in the Old Testament, I say. Is a herald of what God will reveal further in the New.

So this gracious God who, so often we read in Deuteronomy. Defends the cause of the fatherless and widow. And loves the alien.

Giving him goods and clothing. This gracious God stands out as a wonderful person. In this book of the Old Testament.

He exhibits his character. His graciousness. But let's go back to my analogy of light.

The Bible says that if light is given to a person. He is not to receive it himself alone. But he is to reflect it.

So grace, if grace is received. It has got to be reflected. It has got to be passed on to others.

Now once again, this teaching. It's choice. It's in the Old Testament.

And it stands out in all it's majesty in the New. And it's saying just this. That grace isn't a passage thing.

So many times I've quoted that little. Medio spiritual. Which is good theology.

Even if it's not good grammar. That you don't go to heaven on a rocking chair. Because the Lord don't have no lazy bones there.

And if you've received the grace of God. Then it propels you into doing something. If you have salvation then you've got to work it out.

Because you're powerful poor. It's going to affect your lifestyle. Unless grace is active.

Then it's not biblical grace. It's the grace of God which is prevailing. And monopoly is placed upon it.

It becomes like your money. That the Israelites foolishly. Some of them.

Tried to conserve. And later on it sunk. And was inedible.

I wonder if you've gotten that clear. Let me illustrate it by the Lord's Prayer. You know the Lord's Prayer.

You say it so often don't you. Forgive us this day. That's grace.

You forgive us. That's God. Revealing his grace to ordinary sinful people like you and me.

And I receive that grace. The grace of forgiveness. And I say thank you Lord.

Ah he says. But that's not the end. You can't say forgive us our trespasses.

Unless you finish the sentence. As we forgive those that trespass against us. Grace is not passive.

It's active. There is no such thing as passive grace in the Old Testament or the New Testament. So the Hebrews would receive so much grace from God.

The grace of emancipation. The grace of election. The grace some of them of restoration.

Which would demonstrate qualities of graciousness in their own lives. And once again you come to this book. And I can prove and prove and prove again.

That my deduction is a biblical one. In what areas were they to reflect the grace of God? Well in so many that there is no time this evening to examine each one in turn. But let's just look at a few.

In those days the pastors. If you'll accept that as a general description. Were really the Levites.

Let's just say that Levite equals pastor. Let's say one or two qualifications would have to be made. But that's fairly accurate to get the point that I want to make.

Now when the Levites eventually were to move into the promised land. They wouldn't get any of the parishes of themselves. Reuben, Gad, Asher, Dan.

I mean all those would get bits of land. But not the Levites. The Levites would not be employed in any gainful job.

There'd be no money attached to what they were doing. You see the Levites were a special group of people of one side. Which were fiddled out by God to minister to the spiritual needs of the people.

And to bring the spiritual offerings and the literal offerings of the Hebrews to the Lord. And as such the ministry of the Levites was vital for the Hebrew community. Now the way that the Hebrews.

Or one of the ways in which the Hebrews were to show how indebted they were to the grace of God. Was in the treatment of the Levites. So this came through chapter 14 of Deuteronomy.

And there in the 28th verse. References made to certain offerings that the people were to bring to the Lord. At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year.

And shall lay it up within thy gates. And the Levites, because she hath no part nor inheritance, would be. And if you read the context it goes on to suggest that the Levite is going to benefit from the tithe.

There's something else about another class of people but I'll come to that in a moment or so. Turn over once again to another reference to make this crystal clear. The 26th chapter in the 12th verse.

When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithe of thine increase the third year. Which is in the year of tithing. And hath given it unto the Levites.

And so to another group of people. Now there are several references. I've only just picked two out.

But what's the point? The ordinary Hebrew was to look after the priests. The Levites. To ensure that he had enough to live on.

To ensure that his dwelling was satisfactory. In other words they were to say Lord God I'm so grateful for your grace. And for the spiritual blessings that I have received.

That the servants that you have selected for this priestly duty. Are going to be looked after by me and the rest of the Hebrews. And so in the New Testament as this teaching is carried through.

You find the apostle Paul. When he is writing to Timothy. Saying that a man who teaches the gospel can live off the gospel.

And an elder. One who is given to the proclamation of the word of God. Is to be looked after by the people.

It's a way of saying thank you. Not to the person himself. He as an individual is completely unimportant.

It's a way of saying thank you to God. So the principle becomes very clear. That an impoverished clergy.

Is an offence to the Lord. And a misuse of grace. And on several occasions in the Old Testament economy.

The Hebrews were sent here. Because they did not look after the Levites. And God said in effect you're insulting me.

And there's a natural application of that down to the 20th century. I get alarmed among some of my colleagues. The pastor.

And in no way does this apply to myself. But I get alarmed. As to the way that this teaching.

On setting apart. For those that God has called to a ministry. Is to some extent.

A bypass. Or at least. The physical principle is not preserved intact.

And there are those. Who are badly treated. Because of a Christian people.

Their grace. And this principle. But when they are deficient.

In working out this principle from the word of God. They are in effect. Insulting the grace of the Lord.

Because this is one way of saying thank you. Now. I'm not picking that out as being the only way.

Or the most important way. I'm picking it out. Because you can run into me.

Telling that I'm not good. The teaching is very plain. Please.

So there are other ways. In which you are to reflect grace. At least the Hebrews were to reflect grace.

In the days that. Moses was. Declaring this revelation to them.

This may appear to you. Depending on your circumstances. The counseling of debt.

Let's have a look at the 15th chapter. If you've got a car on a higher purchase. Then.

You may not be very impressed. Just to know. You'll go with a book of Deuteronomy in your arm.

And suggest that they release you from your bond. However. This is what Moses was teaching.

The Egyptian community in his day. Once every seven years. Debts were to be counseled.

And the parts of those. Who owed money. To their debtors.

At the end of every seven years. I shall make a release. And this is the manner of the release.

Every credit to the lender sought. Unto his neighbor shall release it. He shall not exact it of his neighbor.

Or of his brother. Because it is called the Lord's release. Notice that last phrase.

The Lord's release. So do it. As an offering of thanksgiving to God.

But why thank God? Well you see. Hebrews. Sorry.

Deuteronomy. Has not blessed. At saying this.

That it is God who makes the Hebrews wealthy. Chapter 8 and verse 18. And the prosperity that belongs to the Hebrews.

Comes because of the greatest dealings of God. Towards his people. So they in turn are saying.

Thank you God. I release that man from the debt that he owes me. Not so much as a favor to him.

But as reflective grace. As an offering of worship to himself. Let's move on as time is going.

Grace is also said to be shown. In the way that the Hebrews were to look after the needs of the poor. I don't think there is anything that is more moving in the book of Deuteronomy.

Than the compassion. That the ordinary Israelite was. Encouraged to show.

Towards the unfortunate. Deuteronomy 15.7 Compassion. For the poor.

That comes out very well. That reference which I just gave you. From the A.G. Comes out tremendously in the M.I.V. Talks about not being tight fisted.

And in the 24th chapter. The one which we read earlier. You've got the wonderful directions.

Which are to be followed by the Hebrews. In their treatment of those who are without this world's good. Let's imagine says Moses.

That a man is really in trouble. And maybe he loans some money from you. Verse 6. If such a man takes money from you.

You are not of a pledge of security. To take the millstone. From the place where he is working.

Why not? What if he were to take the upper millstone? Then he wouldn't be able to grind anymore. His means of livelihood would be taken from him. And that's not the way that one can do.

Is to keep an interesting observation there. Is it not? Commandment 13th verse. Here's the case of a man who's poor.

And he's had to borrow some money. And as a pledge he's taken off his coat. And maybe he's been given a couple of buckles for that.

But he's going to get his coat back eventually. When he's earned more money so that he can redeem it. Ah says Moses look.

You are not to keep that pen. During the hours of the night. Because it gets very cold in Palestine at night.

Kind of a stupidness. The man will not sleep properly. And if he doesn't sleep properly.

He won't be able to work and earn money. As it is without his millstone. He won't be able to work and earn money.

So you are to treat the poor man in a very charitable fashion. Come down to the 19th verse. And on to the end of that chapter.

Here are instructions concerning harvesting. If a sheep in the field happens not to be collected. You didn't see it.

Maybe it fell away. From the bundle that you were carrying. Off that particular patch of land.

You can leave it. It shall be for the stranger. For the fatherless and for the widow.

That the Lord thy God may bless thee. And all the work of thy hands. You go to the olive grove.

Where you are not to beat the branches straight. Leave some. For the fatherless and for the widow.

They are scented. You go into the vineyard. You are not to strip it of all its grapes.

Rather you are to leave some. So that afterwards the stranger. The fatherless.

And the widow. Will have sustenance. And be able to maintain their livelihood.

So you see. All these things are done. Not just as kindly actions to ordinary people.

They were that. But they are done as tokens of worship to the Lord. They are reflections of God.

So let's conclude. Our little study this evening. The reason why these people were to act as they did.

Was because of what God in the first instance had done for them. The 18th verse of the 24th chapter makes it clear. You are to behave in the way that Moses is outlining.

Because you remember that you were a bondman in Egypt. And the Lord thy God redeemed you then. The essence of Moses again.

I command you to do the same. When you realize just how much you are in debt to God. For the many things that he has granted to you.

So you in turn will want to do other things that will help unfortunate people. And you will do it as an act of worship. The source of principle extends to us.

We have received the grace of God. The grace of God within the Bible. So what do we do with the evangelist? We don't keep it to ourselves.

We tell other people about it. But it goes beyond a mere recitation of what Jesus has done for us. We have a concern and a responsibility to those who are unfortunate.

One of the reasons why we are very much behind this shot that opened on the whole antithesis of that particular ministry. Is because this is creating money and creating jobs for those who are unfortunate. I find this to be a continuation of the biblical principles in the Old Testament and in the New Testament.

We have received much from the Lord. Traditionally and also physically. Therefore we are forgiven.

As God has given to us. With a concern for each man and woman of the gospel. With a concern to meet their spiritual requirements.

This book of Deuteronomy stands out prominently as being a book which identifies and defines grace. The grace of God being down to the Hebrews. And that grace was no passive thing.

It was to be active. And the consequences of the receipt of the divine benevolence. Was to be shown in the lifestyle of the people.

And in the treatment of the poor. The widow. The orphan.

And also the people. We thank you for your grace toward us. Thank you that Jesus has loved us.

He has given himself for us. We don't understand it. We ask why.

Why you should set your love upon us. But he says we know there is no answer to that question. He says it is for the reality of the experience.

We know. In whom we have belief. We have basked in the grace of God.

The sunshine of your love. It has been upon us. Some of us here for decades.

And we bless you for it. But Lord we ask that that grace exhibited so wonderfully. May be reflected.

Not only directed back to yourself. But reflected towards other people. The way that we live.

And the way that we behave. So that others shall realize. Something of the love and graciousness of God.

Flowing through our personality. Conditioning and controlling our lifestyle. Lord we ask ourselves to you.

Gracious God. May we be a gracious people. For Jesus sakes.