Objects of God’s Mercy
Romans 9:14-24
📖 Scripture
14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
16 It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.
17 For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
19 One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?”
20 But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’”
21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?
22 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction?
23 What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—
24 even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
📝 Scripture Summary
Paul addresses the question of whether God is unjust. God has mercy on whom He chooses and hardens whom He chooses. Paul compares God to a potter who has the right to shape clay as he pleases. God bears with patience the objects of His wrath and shows His riches to objects of mercy prepared in advance for glory.
💡 Memory Verse
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
– Romans 8:18
🔎 Reflection
Sovereignty over the World (9:14–18)
As he often does in Romans, Paul anticipates a question and addresses it. Is God unjust because He does not extend His mercy and compassion to all? No, Paul explains. The reality is that none of us deserve His compassion; the wonder is that we experience His mercy at all. Yet, God has initiated and instituted His plans and purposes, inviting us to take part in them. The example of Pharaoh serves to remind us that God is fully sovereign: The most powerful man in the world who does not even worship Him can be an instrument for the Lord to display His glory. If we keep this example in mind, we will not fret regarding all that is taking place in the world.
Remember the ways that God has demonstrated His compassion and mercy to you. How does His sovereignty give you peace when hearing about the events of the world?
Questioning God (9:19–24)
Paul addresses those who might question God and His will. He explains that a human being talking back to God is like any creation questioning its creator. A potter has the right to shape a lump of clay as he pleases—he can make some pottery for special purposes and some for common use. The Lord is far more glorious and knowledgeable than we could ever be, and He could pour out His wrath according to His righteous judgments. However, His creation may not realize how patient He is being. We are objects of God’s mercy, and we should be grateful for it. May we always recognize the greatness of our Creator and rejoice in the mercy we have received.
How have you experienced God’s great patience? Pause and reflect on the fact that you are an object of His mercy.
🌟 Today’s Inspiration
“Jesus finally revealed his own brand of revolution, victory, and peace not by stretching out two fingers, but by stretching out two arms.”
– Nicholas Perrin
🙏 Prayer
Heavenly Father, I know I deserved Your wrath, and I rejoice in being an object of mercy. Remind me that You are not only in perfect control of my life but also of all that takes place in the universe. In Jesus’ name, amen.
🖋 Essay
Living Between Two Victories
In retrospect, it is clear as day that when the Allies successfully landed at Normandy, France on June 6, 1944, it was only a matter of time until the Nazis would be defeated. However, the day that commemorates the official surrender by Nazi Germany did not arrive until almost a year later: May 8, 1945. Even though victory was assured, there was much work to be done until the official end.
Similarly, when Jesus declared that the kingdom of heaven was near, He was instituting a new victory campaign. That victory began at Calvary, where Jesus disarmed the power of sin by bearing the punishment we deserved. Three days later, the grave was found empty, demonstrating that death had been defeated. This was a victorious day, and we know that, one day, we will experience another amazing day when we will be given glorified bodies. Oh, how our hearts long for this ultimate fulfillment!
As we wait, we can reflect on what this impending perfect victory means for us today. We do not have to be anxious or afraid, no matter what we read in the news. We can be unshakable, no matter what sorrows and trials come our way. We can endeavor for God’s glory each day, fully confident that we are contributing to a battle that cannot be lost. May we live as those who know the victory that took place before and the fullness of victory that will take place in due time.
Written by Bob Koo