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Devotional.1.5.25


Devotional on Ephesians 2:4–7, Psalm 51

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 (Eph. 2:4-7).

 

This Sunday we will gather for the first time of this New Year, 2025 and will be returning to our sermon series Psalms: Heart, Soul, and Mind, beginning with Psalm 51. The New Year brings an opportunity for new beginnings, new goals, and a sense of a fresh start. Psalm 51 is a great chapter to focus on in the beginning of a new year because it is a prayer of repentance, confession, and praise. David, having been convicted of his sin with Bathsheba, pours out his heart to God, asking for forgiveness and mercy. He recognizes that only God can create in him a clean heart and restore his joy. 

 

Sin is deceitful and destructive. I once heard it put this way, “sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” The amazing thing is that God, who is rich in mercy and grace, has provided a way to forgiveness and healing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we take our sins to Jesus, he forgives us and cleanses us (1 John 1:9). Because he cleanses our hearts from sin and restores our joy, we can sing of our longing for his return in the coming ages. Sunday we will lift our voices together inviting that joyous day when he returns with Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King. Jesus Strong and Kind will remind us of his kindness to us. Christ the True and Better proclaims how Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s story and provides us with salvation. We will conclude with a focus on the richness of God’s mercy given to underserving sinners by singing His Mercy is More. 

 

Preparing your heart for worship this Sunday, remember the “immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.” Consider if you’ve been caught in a sinful habit, thought, or action and confess it to Jesus who promises to forgive, set you free, and heal your heart. Pause to reflect on how much he loves you and longs for you to be with him now and in the coming ages. As we bring our confessions, prayers, and praise together this Sunday, may God be glorified and our joy renewed. Praying you have a blessed New Year!


YouTube Playlist for Jan 5, 2025



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