God’s Sovereign Choice
Scripture Reading: Romans 9:1–18 (ESV)
1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—
2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.”
10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.”
13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
Paul opens this section with deep sorrow over his fellow Israelites who have not embraced Christ. He reminds us of their spiritual heritage and the great blessings they have received. Yet, he makes it clear that being physically descended from Abraham does not automatically make someone a child of God.
God’s promises are fulfilled through His sovereign choice, not human effort. Paul uses examples from Israel’s history to show that God’s mercy and calling are based on His will alone. This truth can be hard to grasp, but it should lead us to humility and worship, knowing that salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace.
As we pray today, let us thank God for His mercy and ask Him to give us the same compassion for the lost that Paul demonstrates here.
Prayer Points:
Thank God for calling you into His family by His mercy.
Pray for those who have yet to trust in Christ, especially within your own family.
Ask God to give you a deeper trust in His sovereign plan.