Romans 11:11-15
"Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their fullness bring! I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I make much of my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?"
This scripture passage revealed Paul's deep burden for the salvation of his own people. On the one hand, he felt sad about the disobedience of the Israelites, and on the other hand he had tremendous faith in the promise of God and believed that God has not forsaken the Israelites. What he saw was not how Israelites were like back then, but what Israelites will be like in His eternal plan. Paul saw the abundance of Israelites in God, and how God had plenty of grace for the Israelites despite of how much grace He has for the Israelites. Paul was a man of prayer, and his prayer was one that holds on to the will of God.
When a person can pray by holding on to God's will, God has no choice but to honor his prayer. I recall that there was a time I promised to cook simple American dinners with my daughter. There was one week that I was particularly busy, and when my daughter called to remind me about it. I told her that I was busy and couldn't make it, but she told me "daddy, you promised me!" As soon as I heard it, my heart felt guilty because I indeed had promised her. Therefore, I turned down my evening appointment and went home to cook with him. When my daughter said "you promised", I couldn't help but to agree to her request, because that I indeed my promise.
When you pray to God, don't just bring your needs before Him. Effective prayers are actually those that hold on to the promises of God. Because Paul prayed by holding on to God's promise, he was able to see the future of the Israelites, and his heart was comforted in the promises of the Lord. Let me invite you to once again bring all the needs in your life before Him, pleading Him by holding on to His promises, because He will never forsake you.
Pray with Pastor Tong Liu
Lord, I thank you because you are our merciful God. I know you will never forsake us, so please listen to every plead we make to you. May your Kingdom come, and your will be done on us. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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