A Gift and a Grace

 

 

Ever wonder why

Some would not repent?

Perhaps they lack a special gift

That is heaven sent.

 

It’s not only a gift

But it is also a grace,

And unless one looks heavenward

There's not a trace.

 

It is a gift from God

Who extends this grace

To all who would come to Him

Or seek His face.

 

Perhaps you wonder

What this gift is,

Well let’s turn this presentation

Into a quiz.

 

 

I have given you a clue

In verse number one,

Just pause here and go back there

Before moving on.

 

Did you see the clue?

Oh, it’s there all right,

I see it there in the first verse

And I’m not bright.

 

Meaning if I can

You should see it too

For it is certain that between us two,

The brighter is you.

 

I’ll repeat the first verse

Right after this one

And whether you get it or not,

I’ll be moving on.

 

Ever wonder why

Some would not repent?

Perhaps they lack a special gift

That is heaven sent.

 

 

A gift and a grace

Is this poem’s title

And for everyone that’s saved

This gift was vital.

 

It is given by God

And placed in our hearts

And not to be confused with remorse

In full or in part.

 

Judas showed remorse

But he never repented,

God hardened Pharaoh’s heart

And he never relented.

 

God withheld repentance

As it was His to give

And Pharaoh chose to die

Rather than live.

 

 

He stubbornly resisted

Rather than concede

And though he could not win

He would not believe.

 

Repentance is a gift,

Yes, it is also a grace

And without God in our hearts

We don’t have a trace.

 

It is a godly sorrow

For the sins we commit

Hence why John the Baptist came

With this remit.

 

Repent, he stressed,

For the kingdom is at hand,

Repentance is a grace and gift

It’s what God planned.

 

Stewart Russell © February 27, 2025