A Faith That Responds

Daily Reading: Romans 9

What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9.22-24)

Devotional Thought: In Romans 9, Paul begins a three-chapter discourse on election: God’s sovereign choice.  To me, these three chapters represent some of the most difficult to understand in light of the rest of the Bible’s insistence on mankind’s responsibility and freedom.

We are "vessels of wrath, prepared for destruction," responsible for the sin in our lives: None is righteous, no, not one(Romans 3.10).  For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3.23).  You and I were in an impossible situation!  So how wonderful it is to read here that God has "endured with much patience vessels of wrath."  You see, as the Apostle Peter wrote: "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance" (2 Peter 3.9).  God is patient with the sinner, desiring that he or she would come to repentance and receive life!  He bears with us, calling us, drawing us, giving us every opportunity to respond.  Even for those who eventually reject God eternally, God extends mercy right up to the end.

And he has shown this patience to all so that we who trust in Christ might see just how loving and merciful he is!  Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus!  But lest they become presumptuous, Paul reminded the Roman Christians of how individual Jews - though they were chosen by God - needed to respond to the call of God, to the enduring patience of God.  Those who rejected his love and Lordship would ultimately be lost!

God has shown great patience to all.  How have you responded?

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your love and patience toward me.  Help me to respond to you in humility and faith, with trust and obedience.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 25.8-13

8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.