Romans 9:14–18 (ESV)
God’s Sovereign Choice (Part 3)
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.
I often hear people say “Why does God allow bad things to happen?” I can turn that around and say why do we allow bad things to happen?” “Why
do we sin?” We often try to impose or force God to take our position or do what we want. But that is not how God works. Today’s reading brings this out. As the scripture states: “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.” You know...
that fits in with the Lord’s Prayer when we pray “Thy will be done” instead of “My will be done.” God will accomplish what he wants to accomplish. It is God who is God. Sometimes we need to remember that.
I pray: O Lord, I repent of my sins and often trying to tell you how to do your job. Have mercy on me and help me to seek your will instead of mine. Amen.