While Grace is the thread that is most seen in New Testament writings, it was neither absent nor foreign in the Old Testament. In this proverb, we see that the writer understood the spirit of grace. In our youth, we can think ourselves to be so "right", so "in the know", so judgmental of others, that we often take a hard line against others when they falter. At times, we even go so far as to define a person by their failings. But that is where the power of grace comes in. When we are filled with God's love, we come to view people for who they are, recognizing their brokenness, their struggles, their needs... and we love them anyway. If we live long enough, we find that life humbles us to the point where we ourselves realize our need for grace. Be gentle with each other. Share the love and grace of Christ with as many as you can.
Readings: 1 Chronicles 19:1-21:30; Romans 2:25-3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12
