See the Man Praying

By Bill Williams

 … But God
           In stories that are told, whether by books, movies, etc., a common thread of the storyline is: introduction of characters, developing the personalities of the characters, a problem arises, the situation degrades, a solution comes at great cost and a resolution of some sort is made known.
           This is a picture of our life and our hope. When we begin to relate with the characters, we associate their troubles with our own. We want them to succeed and have a “happy ending” because that is our hope.
           The Bible tells the story of God and His dealings with humanity. God creates perfection. Man, given a choice, chooses the evil (which is the exact story repeated over and over again in all of our lives). Then, God promises a solution and begins to work throughout history presenting the solution. This solution comes in the form of His Son, Jesus. The effects of this Solution reaches down through history promising a resolution. Paul phrases the story like this: “ And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, 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 ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:1-7).”
           We chose death. We choose death. We choose our own way and that is the problem. This problem only gets worse.  We work according to the Devil’s will and our lust. We become, even though we might not acknowledge it, children of wrath.
           At this point, the most beautiful two words arise. But God. We failed, but God… God, in His love, with His mercy, from the overflowing richness of who He is, gave us a solution. Jesus Christ. He made us alive in Him. He also gave us a hope for the ages to come. God’s kindness did this for us.
           When you are distressed, when you are lost, when you feel alone, remember: the world has abused you, your choices led you astray, But God gives life and hope.

- Bill Williams preaches for the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net