“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:1-8
We were in trespasses and sins, and are now in Christ. We followed the course and prince of the world, and are now raised and seated with Christ. We were children of wrath, and are now children of God. We were led to disobedience, but are now loved in the heavenly places. We were enemies, and are now reconciled friends. We were slaves to sin, and are now free, rescued for eternal life. We were dead, and are now alive. How can this be? (John 15:15; Romans 5:1,8-10; 6:20,22)
All this spinning around and trading in is because of and completely dependent on our God who is rich in mercy, great in love, and particular in grace. Hallelujah! Only He can transform the inner man, awaken the spirit, and change a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. The winds of His intent blow with divine power to accomplish it according to His plan. What hope this truth supplies for our present days! (Ezekiel 11:19; 36:26; Jeremiah 31:33; 1 Peter 2:10)
Are there stickling spurs in my attitude toward my practical, work, or relational responsibilities? God in His mercy can remove them. Are there long-held hurts that I use as excuses not to love or forgive, or even make contact? God in His mercy can heal them. Has unreasonable fear or fretting blurred my sight of Jesus’s promises and power? God in His mercy can assuage my anxieties and correct my vision. By His grace, He does for us what we cannot do ourselves. Would we trust Him?
Are there uncertainties that loom before us, unsettling plans we long to make, and keep? Omniscient God goes ahead of us, leading our way. What questions go unanswered, what needs unmet? Omnipotent God hears our prayers and meets all our needs. Where is our world disordered, our normal disheveled, our communion with others strained? Sovereign God brings order and peace to our hearts and His wider domain. What cultural and national situations seem impossible and beyond redemption? Providential God is working all things for His eternal good, and will never forsake His own. By mercy, He does all things well. (Genesis 50:20; Deuteronomy 31:8; John 14:27; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 2:14; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5; 1 Peter 3:12)
Father, by Your mercy, keep spinning my face to things above, where You reign in grace and glory. (Colossians 3:1-2)
As the rain and snow 