The Lord is Gracious

Recently I was thinking a little bit about the graciousness of God. His graciousness is a part of His character, and an important one since it is the second one He announced before Moses (Ex. 34:6). When we deal with attributes of God’s character, it is important to understand that God is immutable. He does not change, and His character does not change. We – humans change in character as we grow either more like God or more like the devil. Our character is mutable because we were created. It is formable because we were formed, and we will be formed, by one of two potters. God however, was merciful, before there was a need for mercy. His mercy existed before sin did, it merely lacked an outlet. Likewise God was gracious long before there were any beings to be gracious to. Graciousness can only be shown to inferiors (inferiors in morals, or in strength, or in wisdom), and thus it never had expression in the Godhead prior to the creation of other beings.
Graciousness is really what allows God to have fellowship with man. Even before the fall it was graciousness that enabled fellowship. Why should God desire fellowship with man? He desires to talk with us even though He knows what we will say and nothing we say can improve His knowledge of things. He was complete before we were formed and does not need us. Yet, He is the one that initiated the relationship, both before and after the fall. It is His graciousness and humility that cause Him to do this.
My definition of graciousness is “the art of condescending without being condescending.” Really this is only possible for a humble and selfless being. False graciousness may reach out to the needy, but it ensures that the one in need knows and feels the inferiority. It is God’s graciousness that enables Him to give wisdom to any that ask for it and to not upbraid them (James 1:5). The word upbraid here has the thought of a cutting remark made along with the proffered help. Like someone giving a homeless person the help he requests but adding something like, “you bum, get a job!” along with it. God is gracious, he knows our lack of wisdom better than we do and yet He will never rebuke us for that if we ask Him for wisdom, He will merely give us wisdom.
As in all things Jesus was a perfect image of His Father’s graciousness. Not only did He lower Himself to come as a man, yet as a man, he was gracious. To the outcast Samaritan woman at the well, drawing water at noon - a sure sign of untouchableness, He conversed freely and without prejudice.
In my own life I have at times been struck by the graciousness of God. I think of all the times when I have felt His presence, and how at ease He always puts me. There are hundreds of things He could point out that are wrong and many reasons that He should not even bother with me and yet He does anyway. And though at times He may bring conviction yet ultimately He moves the focus from me to Him and when I am in His presence it is easy to forget just how condescending He is being by being there. Why does He do it? The Lord is gracious!