Tuesday,
February 28, 2017
I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of
Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very
beginning. Do you realize what the
Scriptures say about this? Elijah the
prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, “Lord, they
have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are
trying to kill me, too.” And do you
remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed
down to Baal!” It is the same today, for
a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his
undeserved kindness in choosing them. And since it is through God’s
kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be
what it really is—free and undeserved.
Romans 11:1-6(NLT)
Depending on your worldview and how you see history, the grace-filled
covenant lovingkindness of God towards Israel can either inspire you or make
you shake your head like a doubting prophet.
Elijah was discouraged – big time! He had served God with a fierce passion and
now thought he was the only servant God had left. Elijah had stood alone on Mt Carmel in a
contest against the thousands of prophets of Baal, a false god, and against all
odds God gave Elijah a decisive victory.
But Queen Jezebel had put a price on Elijah’s head, and he was so scared
of that woman he ran to the wilderness to hide and whine.
God’s answer to the downhearted prophet was a stinging rebuke. God told Elijah He was not about to break His
covenant promises to Israel because it looked bad in the polls, or because Temple
attendance was down in Jerusalem.
Hundreds of years later Paul would write to the Christians at Rome and
echo God’s message to Elijah – no matter what current circumstances are created
by prevailing human notions and whims, God is faithful.
And God always has his remnant.
In Elijah’s day it was 7,000 who would stand – alone if necessary –
against a deluded King Ahab, or an evil Queen Jezebel. When it comes to the power of thrones, you have
to look a little higher than the crust of earth’s surface if you want to know
where ultimate power resides!
It’s important to remember that God is sovereign over this universe:
It is God alone who judges; he
decides who will rise and who will fall.
Psalm 75:7(NLT)
I have to remind myself of this at least every four years when one gets elected, and one has to go home. No matter which one I supported for our version of kings and castles, the winner is in office either by God’s design or God’s permission.
God always has the final and deciding vote!
For You Today
Can
you, like the apostle Paul, trust the grace and lovingkindness of God to keep you
exactly where His sovereign will determines will be best?
And
can you do that no matter what forecast the stock market, your doctor, lawyer,
Congressman, or news channel declares?
Remember,
life’s most important question is not what’s in YOUR wallet; life’s
most important question is whom do you TRUST!
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