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Daily Devotions

Ephesians

Ephesians 
Day 
Day 72

"But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)..."

Text: Ephesians 2:4-5

MAN CANNOT STAND MAN

Man has always been at odds with man. The tension between man and man has expressed itself in the worse of forms since the beginning of time. Some of these expressions may be noted:-

1. Homicide

2. Infanticide

3. Patricide

4. Genocide

The list of atrocities man commits against fellow man is virtually endless. We do not need to be astute theologians to note that the fallen and sinful nature of man is inextricably involved.

AN APPRECIATION OF THE MERCY OF GOD

Paul wrote with deep appreciation of the way God has responded to man. His concept and understanding of the mercy of God is easily traced to his knowledge of the Scriptures. Numerous texts may be cited that speak of the mercy of God. The greatest foundational truth is found in the proclamation God made when He specially revealed Himself to Moses.

“And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed,
‘The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious,
longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.'”
EXODUS 34:6

THE THEME OF “THE MERCY OF GOD”

The theme of God’s mercy was very much taken up by psalmists and prophets. This foundational truth became the basis of many psalms of praise. It was also the basis of many heart-felt penitential prayers.

“But You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.”
PSALM 86:15

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity
and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage?
He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.”
MICAH 7:18

“RICH IN MERCY”

Paul once again used the word “rich” (“plousios” or “ploutos”). He first employed this word with reference to God’s grace (Cf. Ephesians 1:7). He now employed the same root word to describe God and His mercy. God would have to be very rich in mercy to love fallen and depraved mankind.