Week 1
Ephesians 1:9 “He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him (Christ).”
The Lord gives mercy to His elect people when He opens the understanding of our eyes to His redemptive will for us in Christ. This part of His saving work is found in conviction and regeneration. It is glorious to know that God sovereignly and freely chose to engage us and enable our soul’s understanding of the Lord’s saving purpose for us in Christ. Truly we once were blind, but now we see.
This truth is a lifetime blessing that brings help and hope to the weakest saint in the darkest valley. How so? Well, if God has chosen to grant us spiritual sight and insight into the “mystery of His (saving) will”, then He has plans for us to remain saved all through our life experience and to take us home to heaven to be with Him forever. Is this not a great encouragement to us? No matter what happens to us in this life, we know that God has chosen us by His saving work for His glorious love and joy. We are of all people most blessed and happy.
Through the Lord’s granting of spiritual understanding in our minds and hearts, we came to know our sin, but we also came to know the forgiveness of sins in Christ and through the saving work of Christ on the cross. As John Newton wrote, “Tis grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved; how precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!” To see the awfulness of our sin, and to see the beauties of Christ and the wonder of His saving grace is a gift that only God can give to the believer. The Lord has been kind to us to make “known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention He purposed in Him (Christ).”
Should we not then be motivated because of this? Should this not excite our souls to worship and praise the God who has chosen us unto this great life in Christ? Should we not seek to grow in godliness and wisdom because of this sovereign mercy? Should we not as God’s people seek to honor the Lord and exalt His name in this world because we have been given this marvelous gift? Surely the answer to these questions is a hearty AMEN! Thus, the kind saving mercy of God is the impetus to foster in us holy desire, obedience, worship, and prayer. Let our hearts be joyful for God has chosen us in such a fashion. Let our minds be at peace when we traverse through the sloppy marsh of hardship, for we are God’s chosen people. He has chosen us in mercy, and He is with us for our eternal security.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please grant that I might truly marvel and rejoice in Your saving sovereign work in my life. Thank You for Jesus, for His cross, and for Your salvation through Your grace applied in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. May my life always express my gratitude to You for this kindness. Amen.