June 12, 2023 – Romans 9:1-18
In today’s world, it seems there is more focus on what divides us than anything. Find any article online and then simply look at the comments below. You won’t have to look far to notice that people start tearing each other down over holding a different viewpoint. It becomes us vs. them. And these divisions escalate quickly from we’re right and you’re wrong to we’re right and you’re evil. And nothing about that approach is healthy or helpful in the end.
And just like internet trolls, sometimes people will take Scripture out of context and try to make it say something it doesn’t. For example, this week we are embarking on three chapters that can be very difficult to encounter and can have us thinking that Paul is doing exactly what people do in the comments section of a post. It would even be possible to think he’s trying to tear into and be hyper-critical of God’s chosen people – the Israelites. You might additionally feel that Paul is representing God as uncaring, which could not be further from the truth.
So, as you read this week, I want to encourage you to reflect on what God is trying to say through Paul. I want you to take time and ponder chapters 9 – 11 in full so that you can hear Paul’s heart and, ultimately, God’s heart in what you are reading. Luckily, you don’t have to look far into chapter 9 to experience Paul’s heart as he says, “My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters” (9:2-3). Paul grieves for his people, not because of them. In fact, the Greek word Paul uses could also be translated as “on behalf of my people.” Paul’s heart longs for his people to see the truth of Jesus Christ that he has encountered. He longs for their hearts and minds to become open to receive it.
Maybe there is someone in your life that ridicules you for your faith. Maybe they feel you are unintelligent or have lost all sense of reason for following Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Maybe it’s not someone you know personally but their words still anger you. Instead of becoming angry right back at them, consider Paul’s posture and pray on behalf of them so that God’s truth might open their hearts and minds. It’s one of the most loving things you can do.
Questions for reflection:
- When you read a difficult passage like the one for today, ask God to show you how to experience it with eyes of faith. Try it right now by praying this prayer:
God, you are good and worthy of my praise! Thank you for giving this world your Scriptures. Through your Word, I am humbly trying to know you better. I know your ways are not my ways and your understanding is not my understanding. So, I ask you, Lord, to please show me how this passage can help me to trust in you even more. Help me to look past my trepidations and to experience your Word with a heart that is fully open to you. Help me to trust in your ways above my own. Amen.
Now listen and allow God to reveal his truth to you.