“WHY GOD SAVES SINNERS” (Pastor Tom Henry) ~ 5/29/25

“Nevertheless he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.” (Psalm 106:8)

“Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?” (Vs. 2) This is the question with which the psalmist begins this Psalm just after bursting forth in a doxology of praise. Surely in observing the mighty acts of God we are awe struck with wonder. When looking upon the mighty acts of God in creation the thoughtful mind is compelled to ask two questions: First, who made all this? And secondly, why was it all made.

To both questions there is but one answer. As to the “Who,” we need only to open our Bible and read the first verse of Holy Scripture: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” This confirms right off the bat what the creation itself declares: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead…” (Rom. 1:20) As for the “Why,” we are told that “of him, and through him, and to him, are all things.” (Rom. 11:36) John writes in Revelation 4:11, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Many other passages could be given, for Scripture is replete with such testimony.

When one is born again, he becomes aware of the mighty acts of God in salvation, which the Bible describes as a new creation. Viewing the changes in himself and in other believers, the convert is compelled to ask two questions: First, Who did all this? And Second, Why did He do it. The mighty acts of God in salvation are set forth in this text and the general context, which describes God’s deliverance of His people out of Egypt.

The text (Vs. 8) answers both of our questions quite clearly. As for the Who, the text declares unequivocally, “He (God) saved them.” He and He alone, saved them. Moses was a valuable instrument, as was Aaron, but the text does not say, “They saved them.” It is God’s mighty acts that excites the psalmist’s praise as he writes: “Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can show forth all His praise?” Who could have sent the ten plagues? Who could have opened the Red Sea but Almighty God?

As for the Why, the text is just as clear: “He saved them for His name’s sake.” God’s name is His Person and His character, and salvation sets forth God’s wondrous Person. First, it is a demonstration of His majestic power: “…that He might make His mighty power to be known.” Also included are His tender love and mercy. “He saved them from him that hated them and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.” (Vs. 10) It was Divine love that redeemed us; it was amazing love that made the awful self-sacrifice. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8)

God alone is able to save sinners, because of the great obstacles that stand in the way. That there are enormous barriers that would have prevented their deliverance by any other and Almighty God is seen in the first word of our text, “NEVERTHELESS.” “Nevertheless” He saved them.” These otherwise immovable barriers are here set forth. First, the people themselves were a sinful, rebellious, faithless people, who were dull of understanding, and who had provoked the Lord many times over. (Vs. 6, 7) In addition to the unworthiness of the people, Pharoah and his mighty army were intent upon stopping them. If that were not enough, the Red Sea lay before them. Yet our text says, “Nevertheless He saved them.” When God sets upon a sinner to save him, He gets the job done.

Again, why did He save them? Despite their faithlessness, dullness, obstinance and wickedness, they were His people (Vs. 4); they were His chosen; His nation, His inheritance (Vs. 5); they were His redeemed (Vs. 10). God must and will have that which is Him. Therefore, all difficulties notwithstanding, “He saved them for His name’s sake.”