"But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love which with He loved us," Ephesians 2:4 There are many verses in the Bible that start with the conjunction but. This verse is compelling. The previous verses remind us we were dead in our sins and formerly walked in disobedience. We indulged the desires of the flesh, were children of wrath, and dead in our sins. You might say we weren't only dead but also deaf to the truth of God's Word before salvation.

His Divine nature, deep love, and sacrifice for us weren't even on our radar. Remember how deaf and blind we used to be before we became Christians? It is a sobering reminder of the spiritual blindness we see today. I may be outraged and incensed at the state of our current world, but wasn't I once dead in my sins, a child of wrath?

Speaking of children, our almost-two-year-old grandson has been living with us. As cute as he is, he is a little sinner. We tell him “No" when he attempts to touch the hot gas fireplace or climb on the stove. As he reaches out his little hand, he looks at us with a charming smile. He then precedes to grin and kiss my knee to make up for it! Sin is neither charming nor cute. It's inherent in our nature from day one—even in grandchildren.

It's mind-boggling when we look at the world today and see the ever-unfolding depravity of man. I never thought I would read about drag queens at story hour in schools, the struggle to define what a woman is, or the belief that men can give birth. The world's darkness is disheartening to see, and it will only worsen. Don't even get me started on the woke culture!

Instead, I must go back to God's Word to get some perspective. I breathe a sigh of relief and hope when I read the following passages:

"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us” (Eph 1:7-8).

I also go back to the Gospel. I never tire of reading John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." 

The transformation in my life, the turning from darkness to light, still gives me deep joy. That joy can never be taken from me; no matter what happens in the world, I must not be silent about my Savior regardless of cost. When I first became a Christian, I came across Luke 19:40. Here's another verse that starts with the conjunction but. "But Jesus answered, ‘I tell you if these become silent, the stones will cry out.’ He was addressing the Pharisees who wanted Jesus to silence His disciples for praising Him.

Everything in creation points to a creator, a living God—even rocks will cry out to the glory of God. We are to do the same. We shouldn't be silent. The pushback and persecution of Christians is going to be strong. We will need to stand on Christ the solid rock come what may. 

Remember His love and mercy to you. We are born for such a time as this. Just as Esther and Daniel had divine roles to play at a particular time in history, we each have a purpose as well.

God, in His rich love and mercy, has made us alive. We need to see our times as opportunities for the Gospel. I have such a grateful heart to be able to stand in the light and represent a living God. Will you join me?

"The world's one and only remedy is the cross."--Charles Spurgeon