He has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. – Romans 9:18
How many things do you do daily out of obligation? It might be interesting to actually count! For example, you have a civic responsibility to notify the police if you see a crime, and you have a moral commitment to honor your marriage vows. Likely you signed a contract to repay the loan you received from the bank, and that obligation is enforceable by law!
As Creator of the Universe, God alone holds the place of Sovereign Ruler. Unlike you, He does not act from obligation or fear of consequences. The motivation and source of ALL He does is His own holiness and righteous judgment. His plan for rescuing humankind and restoring the earth is the result of His merciful kindness, wanting everyone to enjoy His glory.
In Romans 9, God describes two kinds of people populating His Earth; Vessels of Mercy, those people who seek a relationship with Him, and Vessels of Wrath, those who reject Him and His place of authority. And He is well acquainted with both groups! From an earthly perspective, it’s difficult to witness inequity and injustice as it plays out in real-time. It’s easy to assign evil motives! But beware of judging anyone or anything from your limited human perspective. Only God knows the heart.
Pray for everyone in America’s coming administration. Every governing official is a part of God’s plan! Ask that each will make the choice to become a vessel of mercy in America by actively seeking God and making decisions to bring His blessing upon the nation.
Today’s Verse: Romans 9:18
So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Jeremiah 17:5-10
Thus says the Lord:
“Cursed is the man who trusts in man
and makes flesh his strength,
whose heart turns away from the Lord.
6 He is like a shrub in the desert,
and shall not see any good come.
He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness,
in an uninhabited salt land.
7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord,
whose trust is the Lord.
8 He is like a tree planted by water,
that sends out its roots by the stream,
and does not fear when heat comes,
for its leaves remain green,
and is not anxious in the year of drought,
for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
9 The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
10 “I the Lord search the heart
and test the mind,
to give every man according to his ways,
according to the fruit of his deeds.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
