Written by Pastor Mark Driskill
September 16, 2011

Read Ephesians 2:4-5

“But God who is rich in mercy…”
I think among the most powerful words that have ever been spoken are the two words, “But God…”
Adam and Eve introduced sin and death into the world with one fatal act of self- determination.  In one moment they forfeited a life of joy and fellowship and were removed from their Garden paradise.  In their newly acquired shame they tried feverishly to cover themselves with fig leaves.  But God covered them with the first sacrifice for sin, a foreshadowing of the cross.

Cain fell carelessly into murderous jealousy. Rather than overcome himself he chose to overcome righteous Able. He introduced homicide into the world. As a consequence he faced a life of restless wandering and the threat of vengeance coming upon him. But God put a mark of protection on him. Another foreshadowing of the cross.

Israel rebelled against God time after time in the wilderness. They kicked and screamed on their way to the promised land. In a moment of judgment God sent fiery serpents and many died in their sin. But God had Moses erect a bronze serpent, an object of faith to which they could look for healing. Here we have another foreshadowing of the cross.

Over and over in Biblical history we see God’s people finding themselves falling into peril either by their own sin or the sin of others. And every time, just when it looks like there is no way out we see these words, in one form or another, “But God.” And in several of those times God not only delivers but leaves a hint, a foreshadowing, of his ultimate act of saving mercy. The cross. This ultimate act is what Paul refers to when he writes in today’s passage. He tells us that once we were essentially hopeless and helpless without God. We were slaves to sin and walking in death. There was no possible way we could make ourselves right with God. You know until we realize just how morally and spiritually helpless we are we cannot know God’s mercy.

Most people are perishing today, not because of their badness but because of their “goodness”.  Oh friend talk all you want of your morals and codes of conduct. Speak softly of your self constructed designer spirituality and humbly boast of your eating habits. Rail against the church attender who is not quite as righteous as you in your sanctimonious easy chair having fellowship with only your television. Boast all you want about the charity you support and the causes you represent. But until you honestly see how helpless you are without Christ’s righteousness you cannot receive God’s amazing grace to save you. You are lost in your goodness. The words “but God” cannot mean anything to you as long as you are depending on your own Ace in the hole. It is only when you have a weak hand and are about to fold that these powerful words, “but God”, come to life. You see it is in our moments of utter helplessness that we find the power of God’s mercy flowing into our lives.

When we realize that we need God and open the door in faith God comes through to forgive, heal and save. This is why Paul writes, “But God who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses and sins made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved-…”

Today you may be in a moment of desperation. You may be suffering through a terrible disappointment, a devastating job loss, a shattering divorce, or you may be facing the slow grinding death of a loved one. Or you may simply be at a place in your life where you realize you are in need of a savior. Your bag of tricks lies empty on the floor and all you can do is fall to your knees before a Holy God and cry out for mercy. You are living your nightmares in real time. Today do not give in to despair. Let these two powerful words resound into the depths of your soul, “But God”.

Right now friend in this moment you can call out to God, no matter where you have been or what you have done. No need for magic words or well crafted prayer language, just call out from your heart. Pour it all out to him. Surrender control to the one who died and rose again for you. Your situation is dark. Your burden is heavy. But God is able and willing.

Pastor Mark Driskill
Web Minister of Begotten By the Word web ministry
See our website at http://ourchurch.com/member/b/bbtw
and
www.facebook.com (to group “begotten by the word”)
Begotten By the Word is a ministry of Helping Hands Christian resources-Evangelism Outreach
www.hhcr05.org
(Feel free to copy in any way that will bring glory to God and further his kingdom.)