Almost a decade ago, I first read John Murray’s little book Redemption Accomplished and Applied, a wonderful little volume containing only 181 pages. That’s not to say it isn’t dense, but it is certainly a delight to read, at least it is for me. One of the things that I appreciate about Murray’s book is his constant rejoicing in Christ. Time and time again in the book, he reminds his readers in various ways that Christ is in “every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior,” to use the words of our church’s statement of faith. The other day I found one crisp little statement in Murray’s book that I’ve been turning over in my head these last few days. Murray wrote, “Christ is exactly suited to all that I am in my sin and misery, and all that I should aspire to be by God’s grace” (John Murray, Redemption Accomplished and Applied, p.111). That sentence contains great hope for our justification in Christ and the aim of our sanctification in Christ.

When Satan tempts you and me to despair, what a comfort it is to know that Christ is exactly suited to all that we are in our sin and misery. In the planning, accomplishment, and application of our redemption, our Father, his Son, and the Holy Spirit left no detail overlooked or need unmet. Praise God for Christ our suitable Savior.