Tag: Romans 11
God’s amazing mercy and wisdom!
Scripture reading for June 27: Romans 11
“For God has consigned all to disobedience, that He may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable are His ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:32-36
As we have been listening to God through the writings of Paul, we have been challenged to expand our world view to see God’s grand vision of showing mercy to all men and women, Jew or Gentile. All people are shut away from God through disobedience. The Jews have broken God’s law and covenant. The Gentiles have violated God’s laws known through conscience. Not one person has right standing before God through their own effort or works. We humbly come to God as debtors needing mercy and grace.
No religion of man or wisdom of man can add to what God has planned and accomplished in Jesus. God stands above all in wisdom. His ways are holy and just. He is merciful and mighty. He has created all things and all things belong to Him. He needs nothing but deserves all glory and honor forever and ever! His people can only fall down in worship and adoration at the free gift of salvation through Jesus the Christ. All creation owes its existence to the One Who created it all and holds it together by His powerful Word. All creation awaits the final revelation of God’s Glory in His Son as King of kings and Lord of lords!
How has God expanded your world view through hearing His Word? How have you responded to God’s revelation of His wisdom and mercy through Jesus Christ? Do you regularly worship God and gather with His redeemed people to expand your understanding of this Amazing God we know and love?
Prayer: Father God, I worship You and adore You as Creator, giver of the Good News, the Source of all wisdom and power. I have nothing to offer You, but my sincere praise, my heart as Your domain, and my feet to go into Your world and share Your Good news. To You be all glory and praise, now and forever. Amen.
Worship is the fitting response to God’s mercy!
Scripture reading for June 28th: Romans 11
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Romans 11:32-36 “”For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them all.” “Oh the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments and His paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord: Or who has been His counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen!”
God’s wisdom and knowledge are beyond all human understanding. All men are of Adam, and through disobedience are under darkness and death. God’s love bound them over so that He might make His mercy available to all men, Jew or Gentile! This plan of redemption came through God’s own initiative and the Son’s willing obedience to the Father’s plan. The promised Holy Spirit would bring God’s wisdom and knowledge to each person who would believe! From Him and through Him are all things! He deserves all glory, now and forever!
Observations for over-comers: God, alone, planned and worked out our salvation and deliverance from the penalty of death from disobedience! He alone is worthy of praise! Give Him all glory! “Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is He, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty–He is the King of glory!” (Psalm 24:9-10)
Grafted in by faith!
Scripture reading for June 29th: Romans 11
Paul concluded his section of the Roman letter dealing with his own people by using an example of an olive tree. Olives were cultivated in Israel and God had used other agricultural examples to teach throughout their history. He also used the Gentiles salvation in his example to “arose my own brothers to envy and save some of them.” (Romans 11:14)
“If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either. . . .And if they do not persist in their unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (Romans 11:17-21,23)
Paul likened the Gentiles to wild olive branches that because of faith were grafted into the tame olive root of the nation of Israel. They were now nourished by the sap from that root. The Jews, because of unbelief in Jesus Christ had been cut off the tree, natural branches now without nourishment! God wanted both Jew and Gentile to be part of the tree, and if faith was found in the natural branches, God could and would easily graft them in again. If the Gentiles departed from faith, they too would be cut off–God did not show partiality! Let’s all hang onto the Root!