Romans 9 Devotional

Mercy That Rests on God

“So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.”Romans 9:16 (BSB)

Romans 9 opens with grief. Paul carries constant sorrow for his own people Israel, so deep he would accept being cursed and separated from Christ if it could help them, and he lists all God has given them, from the covenants to the human descent of Christ (9:1-5). Their unbelief does not mean God's word has failed. His promise ran through his own choice: through Isaac, and then Jacob rather than Esau, chosen before the twins had done anything good or bad (9:6-13).

Paul raises the hard question himself: is God unjust? His answer is no. God shows mercy to whom he chooses, so salvation hangs not on what people want or work for, but on God's mercy (9:14-16). He reminds the questioner that the clay does not put the potter on trial (9:20-21). This is election, God's free choice to save. It is hard teaching, but it humbles every boast, and Paul's own tears show it never makes God's people indifferent to others. Anyone who belongs to Christ is there because mercy found them.

To think about: How does knowing that your salvation rests on God's mercy rather than your effort shape the way you pray for others?