U2’s song “Grace” concludes with a heartfelt reflection. It demonstrates how grace transforms ugliness into beauty and uncovers goodness everywhere. This is both inspiring and thought-provoking.
Reflect on what it means to notice God in an imperfect but created world, to see Him in the simple setting of a manger, and to find Him in the pain of the cross. These moments are ways we encounter grace, shaping how His grace takes root in us.
From the moment you wake today, everything that happens is touched by His grace. Remember, He watches over you, blesses you, loves you, and shows you favour — not alone, but through every part of the world around you, just as He has shown grace in key moments in Scripture.
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3 v 15)
Isaiah 42:3 – “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out.”
Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus showing kindness to those who are hurt or struggling. For example, to the leper who asked, “If you are willing,” Jesus replied, “I am willing.” To the woman who thought, “If only I could touch his garment,” he said, “Take heart, daughter.” To the man with demons who cried, “Swear you won’t torture me,” Jesus gave him freedom and peace, leaving him calm. Each meeting shows how grace changes suffering.
Eve, too, was a bruised reed.
But consider God’s response carefully. Don’t focus solely on the banishment; look deeper into what else God provided.
There was a promise—a promise that would shape the hope of all generations.
In verse 15, God spoke a word of hope. Someone would come to save. The first promise about the Messiah would come from this guilty, broken woman. The first person to sin was also the first to hear about the One who would defeat sin. God said the snake would hurt the Savior’s heel, but the Savior would crush the snake’s head. By dying and rising again, Jesus defeated the powers of darkness and proved that He was stronger.
There was a covering.
Eve tried to cover herself and Adam with fig leaves, but it did not work. God’s covering came through a sacrifice. Their shame was covered by the life of an animal given in their place. In the same way, your guilt is covered by what Jesus did—He is the Lamb of God. This is amazing grace.
Missions Paul 