Paul quotes the prophets Hosea and Isaiah in today’s passage. Paul is seeing these words fulfilled before his very eyes. These chapters in Romans are full of history and are quite “deep.” Paul is digging in with the Romans to help them see the power and majesty of God. God is very much present among us, and Paul wants us to realize that.
As I’m writing these reflections on the passages, I want to be listening carefully to what God’s message to me (and us) is. How do we fit into this picture? We aren’t Jews after all (at least I’m not). I’m looking at God’s character playing out here. What do you see?
The message is clear, “it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.” Therefore, receiving God’s promise is not up to us. We can’t work to earn it. It’s God’s choice. He can even make some people refuse to listen to him. Paul gives us an example, Pharaoh. We can also look at the Pharisees and religious leaders who were blind to Jesus’ true identity as the Son of God.
You might ask why would God show mercy to some and not to others? To prove a point. We should be careful not to take this personally. This is not an example of how God deals with the individual, with us personally. It encompasses the masses and how God responds to a nation of people. His people.
Just as God chose and blessed Israel as his chosen people, he is at work in his new followers. We can now belong to that group of believers. We are now fellow believers whom God has chosen. Our roots may all be different, but we have the same heavenly Father that connects us all.
We do best not to question God or his intentions. We do best to focus on what we know to be true. God loves us. We need to search for him and strive to know him. How can we make our lives more pleasing to God? It’s not to win a popularity contest. It’s not to look good on the outside. It’s to please God and worship God alone.
Let’s pray. Lord, these are challenging days. There is so much corruption in the world. A new tragedy each day it seems. Your heart must be breaking for how your people fight and live disobedient lives. Forgive me when I stumble. Forgive me for trying to put limits on you and your mighty power. Give me eyes to see those who need a touch from you today. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
