Are you ever tempted to think that you or someone you know is beyond redemption, with a life too full of 'junk' to ever be useful in God's hands? When faced with a person's repeated failures, we conclude, "There's just no hope for him. He's a total wreck." I confess that I have said it or at least thought it more than once. This week I re-read most of the book of 2 Samuel, the story of King David's reign in Israel. In a time span of 40 years, he managed to get it wrong - in big and small ways - at least as often as he got it right. Not only is there the well-known story of his dalliance with Bathsheba and murder of her husband. The book also shows us that he was an inattentive father who let his children get away with way too much. In a family crisis, he refused to reconcile with his son Absalom because of his pride, which led to a civil war and the death of thousands. Near the end of his rule, for reasons unstated in the Bible, he conducted a census to find out Israel's military strength and brought a terrible judgment on the nation.
And yet... God loved him, forgave him, and used him to do some wonderful things! David came to understand the goodness of God. When presented with a set of options, none of which was good, he shows his faith in the Lord saying, “They’re all terrible! But I’d rather be punished by God, whose mercy is great, than fall into human hands.”(2 Samuel 24:14, The Message) Ah, friend, what an awesome God He is! His grace is beyond all measure. His love is so great as to defy our descriptions. Our friends and acquaintances, even our families, will give up on us when God is just getting started with us.
I am certain that had I been in Israel at the time of King David, when the Jerusalem Daily News published the headline - "King kills loyal commander in failed attempt at cover-up" - I would have concluded he was beyond hope, a failure, a disgrace; that it was time for a new king.
There is a passage in Ephesians that I read from time to time precisely because I learn, again, the depth of God's grace. Read it slowly. As you do, take special note of the turning point.
"You used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passions and desires of our evil nature. We were born with an evil nature, and we were under God’s anger just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s special favor that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms—all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus. God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:2-10, NLT)
BUT GOD, rich in mercy, loved us so much! That little conjunction, BUT, interrupts a sad story of sin and failure. Just when we conclude that we or someone we know is beyond hope, God steps us and says, "Not so quick! Now, it's my turn!" Paul knew that from his own personal experience. A self-righteous Pharisee, he hated Jesus and His followers, persecuting them intensely. He was hell-bent on destruction, but God met him on the road to Damascus and from that encounter emerged the apostle to the world, the man who, second only to Jesus Christ, shaped our Christian beliefs.
"Jerry, just look at my life. I'm ...." is the way many conversations have started with people who have concluded they are too bad, too prone to failure, to be of any use to God. I am so glad that even when I want to agree with them and say, "Yes, you're right. You are just one big mess," I remember that with God there is no one who is too far gone, beyond hope, past the reach of the redemptive power of the Cross of Christ. So, I respond, sometimes with more faith than anything else, "But God..." And I have watched Him work some amazing transformations.
Thank Him, today, for His grace. Thank Him for second chances, for His offer to take the very things you think have disqualified you from His service and use them to shape and mold you into a servant that perfectly fits His plans and purposes.
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Before The Throne Of God Above
Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in heaven He stands,
No tongue can bid me thence depart,
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there,
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the Just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me,
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the Risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I Am,
The King of glory and of grace,
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
One with Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God,
With Christ my Savior and my God.
© 1997 PDI Worship (Admin. by The Copyright Company) CCLI License No. 810055
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