Navigation System Fail
By Pastor Ben

“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
                        (Psalm 32:1)

Several years ago, Torrie & I were taking a trip to a different state. Eager to get home, we decided to take a shortcut recommended by our GPS. It was an utter disaster. Slow, two-lane highways and construction messes everywhere! It took us forever to get home, but it didn’t take us long to recognize this was an epic GPS Fail!

You’ve heard of Cain, Noah, and David, right? Their stories, and countless others in the Bible, are full of epic fails. In fact, sin, depravity, and failure is a part of life for every person who walks the face of the earth:

Cain murdered his brother    (Genesis 4:1-16)
Noah planted a vineyard and got drunk        (Genesis 9:20-21)
David tried to conceal his adultery with murder     (2 Samuel 11)
You yourself act at times as if you worship money     (Exodus 32)
You’re sometimes ruled by sexual temptations       (1 Kings 11:1-8)
Your heart is often full of jealousy & anger          (1 Samuel 18:6-16)

The story of God’s people — then and now — is a story that includes much rebellion and sin. What a huge mess! The only way out is God’s Plan of Salvation (GPS, if you will). There are no shortcuts in God’s plan. Instead of justifiably destroying us and all sinners, He chose one person to serve as the object of all His wrath. That One was Jesus Christ. Born of a woman, true flesh and blood, He lived a perfect human life in our place. He fulfilled the Law because we couldn’t.

Jesus went to the Cross to take the wrath we had earned, to be the sacrifice for our sins. But what looked like an epic fail became a true and amazing victory when Jesus rose from the dead. Through faith, Jesus new life has become our own. Our sins created the mess, but He cleaned it up with His blood.

No matter the shortcuts you’ve taken, the sins you’ve committed, or the epic failures you’ve lived, Jesus offers the hope of Good News. He gave His life for your sins. No one deserves that kind of love and forgiveness, and there’s nothing you can do to earn it. It’s a gift. It’s yours. Full forgiveness. Real peace. Epic grace.

PRAYER STARTER:
Jesus, You gave Your life to save me. You took the punishment I deserve . . .