Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. There is no more common principle
among men of all religions than that of believing that God is
powerful. This idea forms the very basis of all of man's religious
belief. Even those who fall down before
pagan idols do so because of that idea. The Romans and the
Greeks both had gods of great power. The ancient Aztecs, Incas,
and Mayans believed so much in the power of their gods that
they offered up human sacrifices to appease them. One can visit
any prayer circle or chain of those who profess to be Christians
in the present day and can find the same concept. Multitudes
will testify of the power of prayer and how often God has
delivered them from this or that calamity. In fact, the scripture
indicates that even the demons of hell believe that God is powerful
and tremble at that very thought. Yet it is also a common principle
among all of man's religions that man has power when he is
able to exhibit it in what is generally known as his free will.
It is in this power that men consider themselves in a position
to either fulfill or thwart the will of God. The true and living
God who reveals Himself to men in the person of Jesus Christ
is not a powerful God, but rather He is the God of all power. Power,
might, and dominion belong to Him, and no creature can have
any power at all except that such be given to him. The absolute
and total ownership of all power in heaven, earth, or hell by
the Lord is demonstrated first of all in His appointment of
some of His creation to destruction. Nay, but, O man, who art thou
that replyest against God? Shall the thing formed say to
him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Had not the
potter power over the clay of the same lump, To make one vessel
unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing
to show his wrath, and to make his power known, Endured with
much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction?
Secondly, it is in his hiding of his truth from those who are
not appointed to hear it. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in
spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and
earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent,
and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed
good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me
of my Father, and no man knoweth who the Son is but the Father,
and who the Father is but the Son, and he to whom the Son will
reveal him. His absolute and total ownership
of all power in heaven, earth, or hell is set forth in the revelation
of himself as the redeemer of his elect. And she shall bring
forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall
save his people from their sins. Who is this that is glorious
in his apparel, traveling in the greatness of his strength?
I speak in righteousness, mighty to save. His absolute and total
ownership of all power in heaven and earth is set forth in the
revelation of his redemption of his people. Neither by the
blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in
once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for
us. What a stark contrast the truth
of this verse is to that which is purported to be the gospel
by the majority of preachers today. The predominant message
that is heard from pulpits across this land denies the truth that
is set forth in this verse. They are telling men that Christ
only died to make salvation a possibility. That is a hellish lie and denies
the very power of Christ who has obtained redemption for his
people, completely apart from any action of their own. He is
the Savior, not the one who is attempted to save and is waiting
to see who will be its recipients. And finally, we see his ownership
of all power in the calling and manifestation of his elect in
this world. But we are bound to give thanks
always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because
God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification
of the spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto he called you
by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ. At the appointed time he gives
his people faith, and they believe. My sheep hear my voice, and I
know them, and they follow me. That man who has been awakened
by the Spirit of God and taught the depravity of his own heart
knows himself to be without any power to cause his own salvation.
He knows that except the Lord be pleased to visit him, he will
surely perish. He knows himself to be without power, and that
the Lord alone is the possessor of all power. The man who thinks
that he has power to believe, allow God into his heart, or
elsewise present himself to the Lord is deluded. Yet the mercy
of God is such that He is pleased to teach men both their own weakness
and His mighty strength, as He reveals the salvation that is
in Jesus Christ. So we conclude that He is not
just a powerful God, but that He is the God of all power, and
gives it to whomsoever He will. We stand amazed that He should
come to sin to help such worthless creatures as we are, or to manifest
His mercy upon any of the sinful sons of Adam. Yet we read that
He came to seek and to save that which was lost. May his name
be ever praised and his people cease not to praise him day and
night for his grace. If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.