My dear friend, today it's a joy for me to greet you. Today we're meditating on the promise from Ephesians 2:6, which says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms”. My dear friend, today God will raise you up, and He will keep you seated with Him in the heavenly realms. When I read this verse, I remembered an incident from II Samuel. We see that when David was king, Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, came to him. Usually, in ancient times, when a new king rules the kingdom, they tend to destroy the descendants of the previous rulers, so that there is no threat to the throne. But when Mephibosheth came to David, he bowed down to pay David honour. Instead of making plans to destroy him, out of David's loyalty towards Jonathan, he showed mercy towards him. He said, I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always have a seat at my table.

Mephibosheth might have been afraid because he was related to the previous king, thinking, “My life is at risk, how can I approach the new king? What will he do to me?” But then David showed him mercy and restored to him everything that belonged to his grandfather, because of his loyalty and friendship towards his father. Yes, my dear friend, in the same way, God is merciful towards you. Today, you may say, I am full of sin, I've made so many mistakes. How can I approach God? I am so afraid of what will happen to my life. But God is merciful towards you. Because He has purchased you with His blood, He is merciful towards you. Out of His kindness, He raises you up from your sinful life.

When you repent and when you confess your sins to the Lord, He is merciful towards you. He shows His kindness towards you. He raises you up from your old life, gives you a new start, and makes you sit with Him in heavenly realms. Today, you may say, because of my sin, I am a nobody; everybody has cast me out. If I run back to my Father, will He take me in? Today, God your Father will show His mercy and kindness towards you, raise you up from the pit and make you sit with Him. You will always have a seat at His table. So be of good cheer, my dear friend. Today, a new beginning is waiting for you. Shall we receive it right now?

PRAYER: 
Dear Lord, thank You for Your mercy that reaches me even in my brokenness. When I feel unworthy and afraid, remind me, Lord, that You have called me near. Lift me from my old life and cleanse me from every sin. Give me the grace to repent and walk in Your ways. Restore all that has been lost and make me new. Let my life reflect Your kindness and love. Keep me seated in Your presence always. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.