September 4, 2018
God’s Truths Are Unchanging; His Presence Is Enduring; His Spirit Empowers Us.
Romans 11:28-32
Sierra Waddell
Central Truth
God did not choose us for our goodness, and He will not abandon us for our badness.
Romans 11:28-32
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now 1 11:31 Some manuscripts omit now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
Dive Deeper | Romans 11:28-32
What a comfort the Lord provides in this truth! This section of Scripture was written in reference to God’s extension of grace to the Gentiles during a time of Jewish unbelief throughout Israel. Verse 29 is a bold statement of fact—His gifts and His works are irrevocable.
Irrevocable: not to be revoked or recalled; unable to be repealed or annulled; unalterable (dictionary.com).
Dr. Thomas Constable’s notes on Romans 11:29 declare that “He [God] did not choose Israel for her goodness, and He will not abandon her for her badness.” If we know that we are a chosen people (1 Peter 2:9), let’s think of ourselves the same way. God did not choose us for our goodness, and He will not abandon us for our badness. This truth (a sure source of comfort and strength to this brand new momma’s heart) is unalterable!
In reading about this portion of Scripture, I reflected on Psalm 46:5: “God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” This psalm empowers me. If He is in our midst, dwelling within us as His people and enduring all that we endure from inside ourselves, we can rely on His constant presence to carry us through. Romans 8:11 declares, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” This is a promise He has made, a gift that cannot be revoked.
As I sit here in my current season—fully understanding the meaning of fatigue and true reliance on the Lord—I can’t help but think how beautiful it is that regardless of my ever-changing emotions, my goodness or badness, and the unpredictability of my days, the Lord’s gifts, promises, comforts, etc. are irrevocable. Hooray!
This month's memory verse
38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
– Romans 8:38–39
Discussion Questions
1. What gifts or callings from the Lord can you recognize in your own life? Have you grasped the solidarity of those things based on the promise outlined in Romans 11:29?
2. Which of the following three portions of today's title resonates most with you and why? What Scripture can you find to confirm your perspective?
• God's truths are unchanging;
• His presence is enduring;
• His Spirit empowers us.
3. Who will you tell today of your reflections over this Scripture reading and/or what the Lord is revealing to you on this year's Journey through Romans?