Romans 9:8-21 (ESV)
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?”20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
Sharon Wood
New Life Christian Fellowship – Concord
Observation: This passage puts in perfect place who I am, in relationship to God my Creator. What wisdom, power, or talents do I possess that were not given me by Him who created me? And who am I, the created, to think I know better than God, the Creator, as to how and for what purpose He made me?
Action: Humility before God. Today I will spend time on my knees – literally and figuratively – before the Lord. Asking for forgiveness of my pride and stubbornness, worshiping and acknowledging who He is, and thanking Him for loving me and for giving me life.
What a premium God puts on the matter of faith in His mercy! But some still question Him as if there were some other way than through the offering of His own body and His own blood upon the cross; who don’t believe in the power of His Word.
It is enough, Father that you have made me exactly who I am and yet more: You’ve given me faith to believe and trust everything to You. Thank You that you have “made me like this.” Renew my confidence in Your amazing grace. Amen.
Observation: Children of promise, justice, purpose, mercy, Potter – clay. These all are words visions of things too big and too unknown without relationship and revelation from heaven. You reveal yourself to us. We sort and rationalize and imagine and argue from the dirt upwards to the Creator and wonder why we stand in wonder at Your ways.
Action: I hold these truths as “not being evident.” I accept what I don’t understand in what You say and cling to Your character of love demonstrated at the cross above all.
Observation: As I read this passage today, I hear God putting me in my place and Him in His rightful place. I hear Him inviting me into a deeper level of trust and more intimate prayer.
Action: Yes I am in prayer asking for forgiveness of my self-righteousness and for putting myself on the throne. I am also in earnest prayer for people close to me who are not walking closely with God. Please God, have mercy and compassion on them. Protect them as You draw them close to You. Amen
Hebrews 6:19 says our hope is in the promise…as in, we have faith in someone keeping their word, not faith in what’s rationally acceptable. As pertains to my faith, there’s always the remembrance of what God has done (facts) in my life, but I’m seeing more and more we’re called to live as these same children of the promise…not children of an apologetic. There’s relationship required in hope. God always calling us closer in relationship. How blessed did the disciples feel when they realized they were living in the age when the great promise of their history was fulfilled in a living, breathing Christ…the grand promise of God with us again.
I’m going to explore this ‘children of the promise’ phrase in prayer. I’m seeing hope in there…and hope is my new thing 😉