Romans 9:16 "So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it."
Paul is explaining how God worked through the Israelite's-beginning with Abram and his family. He explains that God chose this particular family to bless the world with. And throughout history God has chosen to bless some and not others...he's chosen to have mercy on some and not others. To those who complain this isn't fair, Paul essentially says, who are we, the created things, to argue with the creator. Does not God have the right to do what he wants with his creation?
I gotta be honest, this is a difficult passage to read. I like things to be fair. I like to think everyone gets the same shots in life. This passage appears to indicate that may not always be the case. God shows favor to some, and not to others and sometimes that's just that. And as much as that troubles me, it also brings me back to put my trust in him alone. I can not earn his favor or work for it. It is completely dependent on him. He is God and I am not. So today, as I am reminded that he is in control and I am not.
Dear Jesus, help me trust you completely in all areas of my life. Show me the places where I do not trust you and give me the strength to hand those areas over to you. Amen.
