Daily Bread 2011 - Romans 9
16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens
whom he wants to harden.
What Does This Mean?
In chapters 9-11, in Romans, Paul tackles the difficult question of his own Jewish people and how they will fare in overall scheme of God’s plan of salvation. Although he has great concern and anguish over his own people, many of whom had rejected Jesus, he realizes that God has a sovereign plan. He points to the fact that God has mercy on some and not on others. He uses the example of how God chose Jacob, but rejected Esau as the chosen Son. And how Pharoah’s heart was hardened so God might show His wrath on the Egyptians, but show mercy and save the Jewish people through parting of the Red Sea.
Bottom line Paul reasons, “Who is the clay to question the potter? Can’t the potter make some of the clay for noble purposes and some for common purposes?” This then also relates to how though many Jews rejected Jesus, though the Old Testament clearly showed what the Messiah would look like in many prophecies in Isaiah and other OT books. This paved the way for God to show mercy to the Gentiles who were made righteous by faith.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means that God is God and we are not. And that we should spend more time sharing with the world the mercy God has given us in His Son, Jesus Christ than trying to figure out who is chosen. This is the Good News that is for everyone. Some will believe, some won’t, but that is for God to decide. Only God knows the human heart. Importantly we are reminded today that it does not depend on our desire or effort, but God’s mercy.
If you are believer God, has had mercy on you and opened up your heart to believe in Him. Give thanks today that God has mercy on us and share that mercy and compassion with all you meet. One day when God calls us home we will maybe better understand His sovereign plan, but for now we walk by faith and trust in His promises that they are all “Yes” in Jesus Christ.
Thank you God for being a God of mercy and not giving us what we deserve but the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. We pray for those have not yet received your mercy to be open to this gift and receive it in Your timing and plan, Amen.
whom he wants to harden.
What Does This Mean?
In chapters 9-11, in Romans, Paul tackles the difficult question of his own Jewish people and how they will fare in overall scheme of God’s plan of salvation. Although he has great concern and anguish over his own people, many of whom had rejected Jesus, he realizes that God has a sovereign plan. He points to the fact that God has mercy on some and not on others. He uses the example of how God chose Jacob, but rejected Esau as the chosen Son. And how Pharoah’s heart was hardened so God might show His wrath on the Egyptians, but show mercy and save the Jewish people through parting of the Red Sea.
Bottom line Paul reasons, “Who is the clay to question the potter? Can’t the potter make some of the clay for noble purposes and some for common purposes?” This then also relates to how though many Jews rejected Jesus, though the Old Testament clearly showed what the Messiah would look like in many prophecies in Isaiah and other OT books. This paved the way for God to show mercy to the Gentiles who were made righteous by faith.
What Does This Mean For Us?
It means that God is God and we are not. And that we should spend more time sharing with the world the mercy God has given us in His Son, Jesus Christ than trying to figure out who is chosen. This is the Good News that is for everyone. Some will believe, some won’t, but that is for God to decide. Only God knows the human heart. Importantly we are reminded today that it does not depend on our desire or effort, but God’s mercy.
If you are believer God, has had mercy on you and opened up your heart to believe in Him. Give thanks today that God has mercy on us and share that mercy and compassion with all you meet. One day when God calls us home we will maybe better understand His sovereign plan, but for now we walk by faith and trust in His promises that they are all “Yes” in Jesus Christ.
Thank you God for being a God of mercy and not giving us what we deserve but the free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus. We pray for those have not yet received your mercy to be open to this gift and receive it in Your timing and plan, Amen.
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