The Expository Dictionary of Bible Words describes grace (in a large majority of the New Testament) as:
"grace denotes the limitless kindness and mercy of God that is freely given to human beings undeserved"
This grace originates from God and only God. Note that grace is said here to include the mercy of God. Mercy, in this same resource, is said to be "compassion" and "kindness." So grace, in order to operate as designed, must have a component of God's mercy, his compassion on us. Grace is much more than mercy and compassion. However it must possess that as well. Grace has unlimited abilities. Grace is free and never ending. Grace has unlimited kindness and unlimited mercy.
Listen to this lovely definition of mercy.
"The quality of mercy is not strain'd;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heavenUpon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
These are the words of William Shakespeare from his play "The Merchant of Venice" Act IV - Scene I. These particular words were written for a woman named Portia. In the play she was disguised as a lawyer defending a merchant of Venice, Antonio, who had defaulted on a loan. Portia's defense is a moral one, not a legal one, at this time. She declares that the moneylender Shylock should be merciful to Antonio the borrower unable to pay. Portia says, "Then must the Jew be merciful." Shylock asked why he should be merciful by means of "On what compulsion must I? Tell me that." Her reply is written beautifully by Mr. Shakespeare. Read it again.
"The quality of mercy is not strain'd;
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."
Even though these words were meant for man to man, they do so wonderfully give us another picture of God's mercy on us. "The quality of mercy is not strain'd" it says. I believe Shakespeare feels that mercy is not strained, nor forced. It is of no great demand or effort. It requires no exertion on it's part. God's mercy is just that. His grace is completely gentle and easy to give. His grace and mercy are not strained or forced. His grace requires no great demand.
As Shakespeare put it,
"It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath."
Think of those words. God's mercy and grace "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath." Grace and mercy are God. His grace drops gently. Look at that quote. Imagine gentle rain effortlessly dropping and falling to the place beneath. For the rain to drop out of heaven with ease, it would land on the place beneath. Mercy and grace both "droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath." It is that easy. It just falls gently to the one who is beneath it. I know these words are not from an author of the Bible, but I see them easily fitting in. They describe to us a quality of grace that can help up obtain it more easily.
Remember the beginning of Shakespeare's passage,"The quality of mercy is not strain'd." It is true. The quality of mercy, and thus grace, is the opposite of strained or force. The quality of mercy is gentle and effortless. God's mercy and grace so flow out of Him onto you with great ease, if you allow it.
Let us then approach the throne of grace. Hebrews 4:16
You are going to have to approach that grace to receive it. Receiving grace seems to be hard for us to accept, yet easy for God to give. That is because we tend to look at it all wrong. Grace is not strained. It takes nothing for God to give grace. It flows out of Him just like that gentle rain falls from the sky to the things beneath.
This week consider the words of Shakespeare.
"The quality of mercy is not strain'd,
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath."
This is a description of grace as well. Mercy is in grace. The next time it rains I want you to observe it's qualities of ease and gentleness. Look carefully and watch how a gentle rain falls with out force or strain. Watch raindrops hit things beneath. Also notice how the rain drops do not just fall in one place. Watch how it falls everywhere with no limitations. It does not fall in one place beneath. It falls all over. It touches all of your back yard. It falls in every spot on your lawn.
It falls from heaven above to touch all over, not just one tiny spot. God's grace is the same. God's grace "droppeth as gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath" and drops everywhere abundantly. Consider this visual of grace this week. Look at the gentle rain in a new way. See it as a picture of God's grace. Try to be more accepting of grace that God wants to fall on you.
Rain is so much like God's grace. It is always free. It holds no conditions on those things it touches. It is not strained or forced. It falls with ease and delight. Maybe you should just step out in the rain and let the drops fall on you to be reminded of how God wants you to receive his grace. You do have to step out and approach the rain so that it may drop on you. You will also have to approach grace to let it fall upon you.
We are about to approach the throne of grace with even more understanding as we continue to meditate and learn from Hebrews 4:16. Understanding grace is going to make it much easier to receive it. That is why we need to take time to learn about it. I hope you can open your mind and heart to receive new revelation on grace so that you can change your prayer life.
Special thanks to my dear friend Denise who often opens my eyes to the beauty of the arts, in particular the performing arts. You have a gift.
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