Into the darkness, light shines

We left the catechism in a bleak place. God will not allow our disobedience and idolatry to go unpunished.  What hope do we have? Q19 asks that very question.

Q19. Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God's favour?

Yes, to satisfy his justice God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin by a Redeemer.

• There is hope

The last answer (Q18) began with a clear

no

.  All looked bleak.  This answer, begins with a clear

yes

.  Into the darkness, light shines.  The darkness cannot overcome it.  There is hope.

• The hope is certain

God himself is the source of our hope.  So our hope is certain.  He himself is making the way.  He himself provides the answer to our problem.  He himself sorts out our sin.  And because he sorts it, our hope is certain.

• God is full of mercy

Yesterday, we noted our need to see how great God is.   We must not domesticate him.  We must not neglect his holiness, his sovereignty, his power.  And we must not forget he is full of mercy. And because he is full of mercy, he is driven to do something about the problem we all face.  He himself provides the answer.  He himself delivers us from our sin and from the punishment we are due because of our sin. He does so, by a Redeemer. Things looked bleak, but now, as light begins to shine, that light looks even more glorious. May we all glory in our Redeemer.