Why?

Sometimes, we are prone to think that our disobedience means that we have forfeited all of God’s promises and protection.

That is not correct thinking.

Our God is a gracious God who still protects us and keeps His promises to us even when we have struck out. In spite of Abraham's fear, lack of faith and obvious transgressions, we see that God did not reject him.

God intervened to keep the promise that He had made to Abraham and Sarah alive – the promise that they would have a son together. Not King Abimelech and Sarah, but Abraham and Sarah!  Then, God lavished all kinds of blessings on Abraham!  Abraham might have let go of God, but God – out of grace – never let go of Abraham. When we fall and fail, as all of us do from time to time, God does not reject us, but rather, out of grace, God holds onto us.  Abraham, like us, did not deserve that intervention, but God does not treat people as their sins deserve. Out of mercy, God protected Abraham even after Abraham had struck out!

Now, that is grace!

I have really wrestled with this point all week and I want to tell you why!

Why did God protect and bless Abraham without any consequences? Why does God protect and bless some people today in spite of their actions while others have to deal with the remnants of their disobedience?  The answer to those questions is I do not know. I am not God.

However, I do know this. God deals with His creation differently just as parents deal with their individual children differently! In the end, you and I not receiving or receiving what we deserve are both wonders of God’s grace. Consequences and discipline are just as much of a gift of God’s grace as letting people off of the hook is!  Let me explain! Growth occurs in my life when God gracefully disciplines me! Now that is grace!

A dad vented, "When I was a youngster, I was disciplined by being sent to my room without supper, but in my son's room, he has his own color TV, telephone, computer, and CD player." "So what do you do?" asked his friend. "I send him to MY room!" exclaimed the father.

Ultimately, God knows best.  We are spared from what we deserve and see it as grace. However, when God disciplines, that should be seen as grace as well. I see both scenarios as graceful protection!