| Romans 9:10-18 "...Is God unjust? Not at all! For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 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. Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden." Paul here explained the authority and mercifulness of God. Someone has given the term "authority of God" a simple yet profoundly meaningful explanation - "He is God and you are not." Indeed, we need to be constantly reminded of this truth. If God is the Lord, He has absolute power to accomplish His work by His will in His time. Just like what verse 11 to 16 says, it doesn't matter what people do, but it's totally up to God. Paul stressed this point so that no one would boast. He used Esau and Pharaoh as examples as both of them rejected God. Esau took God's blessing lightly and walked on the way of the world by his own will; Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and his heart remained hard even after witnessing many miracles and thus did not allow Israelites to leave Egypt. He proudly said that it was the god of Egypt that hardened his heart. Actually, above all things, God is still always in control. Even if people reject Him and was hardened, they are still in the hands of God. God's wonderful will can surpass hindrance from people and be completed. In Romans chapter 1, Paul explained this truth by saying "God gave them over." God gave people over to sin and allow people to hardened, reject God and eventually become perished by the law of God. Is God unfair? Not at all, because He is filled with mercy; as soon as we humble ourselves and acknowledge that we are inadequate, God will save us with His grace and mercy. Because of God's authority we cannot boast, and His mercy will allow us to enjoy His salvation even though we are not worthy. We need to understand about God's mercy so that our hearts are not hardened and we won't disobey, complain, and always like to ask God "why". What we really need is to humble ourselves and rest in the working hands of God, let Him accomplish His work on us. You'd rather have disciplining by God come upon you than letting God give you over to sin. Don't forget that He is a merciful God and His mercy is prepared for every heart and soul that is open to Him
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu Lord, we thank you because you are the God who's full of mercy. May you extend your mercy to all brothers and sisters whose hearts are open. May your working right hand manifest your power on us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen! |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.