Living with God's Decisions

Scripture: For he tells Moses, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then, it does not depend on human will or effort but on God who shows mercy. Romans 9:15-16

Observation: About the confusing topic of predestination vs. free will, Paul ... makes it all the more confusing. However, it is important to understand that he is not actually talking about the free will of individuals to select their faith in the Lord. Instead, he is talking about the Lord's free will to show mercy and compassion on anyone, regardless of their faith, background, ancestry, or works.

Yes, the Lord chose the Jews as his people. It breaks Paul's heart that many of them are not acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah. On the other hand, many Gentiles are hearing and believing in Jesus. All these facts have little to do with mercy or earthly protection. The Jews will be destroyed by the Romans. Christians will be persecuted and executed. Evil doers may even receive supernatural protection in a time of need. None of these are dependent on the actions of people and the free will we all practice. Rather, mercy is simply a decision made by God. Living within those decisions about mercy and compassion - and maintaining faith despite how we interpret those decisions - is our call.

Application: This was likely a very difficult topic in the time of Paul, as Christians were trying to reconcile their faith in a world that was downright violent toward everything having to do with any kind of belief in Yahweh and/or Jesus, while seeing those her persecuted them thrive. That same world is re-emerging today, as "popular culture" is actively turning against faith.

It is important to keep our minds fixed on Paul's basic concept ... God is God, and he makes decisions in a manner and within a context we cannot possibly hope to understand, let along question. We must not "talk back" to God, or question the purpose to which he has assigned us (verses 20-21).

I do not understand the bad things that have happened to me in life. That said, I do not understand the good things, either. I have been shown great kindness and blessing and mercy without any justification, far beyond anything I have earned from the Lord. I have received hardships and insults and harm without any justification, and even been told by the Lord I did not deserve them. I have total faith that the Lord has a plan and purpose for my life, and for the lives of others, and that somehow all of this advances his good. My future - good or bad - does not depend on my human will or effort, but on God.

Prayer: Lord, more and more every day, may I simply trust in your plan, seek your plan, and do as you would have me do within your plan. I know there will be hardships, and your hand will be in those hardships, both to correct me and to guide me. May I only be clay, made into whatever vessel you want, to do your work. Amen.