April #jammed: Grace Studies.

Day 120: Grow a fence.

“Whoever tries to hide his sins will not succeed, but the one who confesses his sins and leaves them behind will find mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

The day my fence-line was planted is still a dark day in the Bucher house. I hate to admit how mad I was that day, as those tiny …tiny trees were planted to block my toddlers from running out into the busy road. The tears I cried because of those trees are embarrassing. There I stood, in my brand new kitchen …looking out the brand new window of my brand new house …crying about trees.

I still hate those trees.

They still don’t block anyone from getting out of the yard.

Everyone can still see what we’re doing …all of the time.

Today’s verse talks about hiding sin. Don’t we long to put a wall around everything we hate to admit? It’s not what we want others to see. It’s tough to face. Everyone else has built a fence around what the rest of the world sees, too. Don’t even think about peering over it …there’s trouble on the other side. Exposure. Reality.

God is all about reality. He already knows what’s on the other side of the fence line. It’s really more like a tree line to Him. Well, my tree-line anyway. A failed attempt at privacy.

When we confess our sins to God He meets us with love and forgiveness. The consequences of sin shouldn’t be confused with punishment. He allows us to make bad decisions but He’s not causing bad things to happen to us out of spite. He IS love. A concept that is tough to embrace in this life …

Today’s verse promises us mercy.

Mercy-compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, anenemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: (dictionary.com)

Even by our definition, mercy is a kind and compassionate reaction to  someone who has wronged us. Imagine how God defines mercy. We are not His enemies, offenders, or in conflicting power …we simply make mistakes. We sin …a lot. And He knows and understands our plight to do what we hate …that’s why Jesus died on the cross. Through Him, we come to the Father. And the Father forgives what He already knew we would do.

Father, Praise You for Your omnipotent hand and merciful love. Thank You for providing a way for us to come to You for mercy in Jesus. We confess that we often ignore Jesus and build a fence line. Bless us with strength to tear down any walls of communication between us and You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Get the conversation started by commenting below, and let’s encourage one another as we face life in 2017 armed with grace! 

#greatgrace17

Happy Tree-planting,

Megs

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