Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Bible in a Year: Proverbs 19 | Luke 5

Characteristics of God: He is gracious.

God is gracious.

As I prayed and thought about this characteristic of God, he led me to several verses that completely illustrate his grace. 

Romans 5:6-8
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 

God saw our situation - we were all full of sin. But he didn’t stop there. 

Romans 3:23-24
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 

There was no possible escape from our just death sentence - eternal separation from a holy and righteous God. But God (Such wonderful words!) did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He sent his Son, the Word, Jesus. 

John 1:14 
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.  

Jesus came as God’s expression (the Word) of his love and graciousness. While we were still sinners (God’s enemies), Jesus willingly sacrificed himself for us. This is the very embodiment of God’s graciousness.

Many years ago, while driving around town, I prayed, inviting Jesus to be my Lord and my Savior. Instantly, in that moment, I knew I was forgiven. I was amazed by a gracious God, who knew me and all I had done as his enemy. I was not an upright person, and surely not an especially good person for whom someone might choose to die. Yet he died for me anyway. And he died for you, too.

He calls us his beloved daughters and sons and longs to welcome us home. When we respond to his grace, our lives can be made whole, and we become new creations in Christ. 

This is nothing less than a miracle made possible by such a gracious God, who waited patiently for us to seek him. When we accept the grace of God, it makes all the difference! 

Questions:
Have you chosen to accept the work Jesus did to pay the price for your sin?

Do you live in the freedom our gracious Father has given us?

Next Steps: 
Sin is no longer your master if you have invited Jesus to lead your life. However, the best way to keep pursuing this new freedom is by finding a community of other followers who will help you walk in the way of Jesus. Join a Group or join a DreamTeam to find your community.

Our God is so gracious! “But God” reminds us that he is actively participating in our lives for a greater purpose. Do a search for other times the words “But (yet) God” appear in the Bible. (Hint: 44-60 times, depending on the translation!)

Prayer:
My sweet Jesus, I am so grateful that you waited for me. It was a long wait, but you are patient, wanting all to join your family. I pray for my brothers and sisters who have yet to embrace your free gift, the one that cost you so much! Open their hearts, Lord, that you may come in and change their lives forever! Let those who seek, find. Open the door for those who knock. Come and dwell within them, as you've promised. In your beautiful name I pray, amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Jeremiah 9:23-24a
This is what the Lord says: “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord….”

Written by Lauri White a regular contributor to the Daily.