Mercy with a Divine Purpose.

While discussing my faith with a friend a few days ago, he asked me a question that I thought I knew the complete answer to: "Why haven't I died because of all the terrible things I've done?" "Mercy!" was my quick reply. I began reading him Ephesians, chapter 2, verses 1-10:

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace..."

It goes on to say that we are saved by grace, not by our own works, so that no one can boast. This is because we are God's workmanship, or, in another term, masterpiece, who he created to "do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God sees us as masterpieces- we are his prized art, hung upon His wall for all to see! He displays us in His gallery, the world, so that all men may see His glory through us! I found this extremely exciting and encouraging.

I went on to read Psalm 30, which is a Psalm of sorrow being turned into joy. I came upon verse 9, and realized how true the words are:

"What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me..."

David had a great point here, years before Paul wrote Ephesians. He was praising God for bringing him out of trials, and thanking God for having such a divine plan for his life that He would keep him from being destroyed. For what good are we to the Lord if He allowed us to be overcome by our struggles? How, then, could we reflect His mercy and love through our lives? He pours out His mercy on us so that we may continue, despite our sins and trials, to proclaim His name! He shows, by allowing us to live and not pay the Ultimate Price for our transgressions, how much He loves his creation! His masterpiece, created in His image for His glory.

So proclaim His name! Show the world how much He loves us- so much that He would send His one and only Son, that we may be saved by His grace and mercy, shown through His death on the Cross! Praise Him, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made! He has a plan for our lives- if He didn't, why would we be shown such mercy? Oh, how He loves us!

Love like a hurricane, I am a tree, bending beneath the weight of His wind and mercy!

Show the world what a beautiful gift we have been given, so that they may share in our delight in the Lord!