Ray's take on it:
Romans 11
It’s easy to feel as though we run this race alone. It seems like so few are going to endure until the end. We are encouraged by Paul that we are not alone even though it feels that way some time. Even Elijah felt this way and God had to tell him that there were 7000 others who had not yet bowed to baal (sorry, I can’t bring myself to capitalize that name). Even one of the greatest prophets of all time felt like he was fighting a battle by himself. It’s just proof (and confirmation of other Scripture) that when you do the work of the Lord, when you adhere to His word, when you walk with Him daily, the enemy will isolate you or at least try and make you feel isolated. It’s great to know that even when we seem to be alone we are not. The feeling of isolation is difficult. We are designed to desire community and to fellowship with one another. Isolation can create additional pressure to give in. To not endure. To question God. Think about it….even God isn’t alone. Before the existence of man, the Trinity existed as evidenced in multiple places in the Bible.
We are also encouraged to know that Gentiles are grafted into the Kingdom. God’s beautiful plan was to provide all with an opportunity to be redeemed. In providing salvation to Gentiles He hopes to arouse the Jews into accepting Jesus as well. If God’s chosen people were to accept him imagine the blessing! He is waiting and desiring for them to turn and accept Christ.
God is both severe and fair. He is fair in more ways than one could write about. Even when He is being severe He is doing so because He is just and a just God cannot allow for our transgressions to go unpunished. It’s amazing how much it parallels a parent/child relationship. Even in the midst of our parents ‘severely’ punishing us we never doubted their love or their intentions for us. Verse 32 highlights that “God has imprisoned all people in their disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone!” Wow, what a powerful statement and revelation! Even in our imprisonment God is leading us to desire a relationship with Him. To accept Him and to worship Him as only He deserves to be glorified. As this chapter make so abundantly clear, everything that exists does so by His power and is intended for His glory! Amen!
Kisha's take on it:
Apparently, somewhere along the way the Jews got side-tracked or confused causing God to send a Jewish Messiah that would not only save the Jews but all people.
We can ask God for wisdom but we must remember that He is all-knowing & all-powerful. We cannot get into the cycle of thinking that our ideas, plans, or wants are things that God will provide for us or deem necessary for us. All we can do is ask and wait to see if we receive it. We live in the world with free-choice to do things that are pleasing to God. We have talents, desires, gifts and skills within us that He expects us to utilize. However, He makes the ultimate decision on what will be successful, fruitful, or just mediocre and His choices should never be rejected or complained about for He knows what is best for us. We can have faith in knowing that He wants the best for us and that He loves to bless us.
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