Saturday 24 June, 2017

11 So here is what I ask. Did God turn his back on his people? Not at all! I myself belong to Israel. I am one of Abraham’s children. I am from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God didn’t turn his back on his people. After all, he chose them. Don’t you know what Scripture says about Elijah? He complained to God about Israel. 3 He said, “Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have torn down your altars. I’m the only one left. And they are trying to kill me.” (1 Kings 19:10,14) 4 How did God answer him? God said, “I have kept 7,000 people for myself. They have not bowed down to Baal.” (1 Kings 19:18) 5 Some are also faithful today. They have been chosen by God’s grace. 6 And if they are chosen by grace, then they can’t work for it. If that were true, grace wouldn’t be grace anymore. 7 What should we say then? The people of Israel did not receive what they wanted so badly. Those Israelites who were chosen did receive it. But the rest of the people were made stubborn. 8 It is written, “God made it hard for them to understand. He gave them eyes that could not see. He gave them ears that could not hear. And they are still like that today.” (Deuteronomy 29:4; Isaiah 29:10) 9 David says, “Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let them trip and fall. Let them get what’s coming to them. 10 Let their eyes grow dark so they can’t see. Let their backs be bent forever.” (Psalm 69:22,23)

As we look at the news, the world events, all the chaos, brokenness and trauma – we may wonder is God in control, has He taken His hands off the world and let it reap what it has been sowing for years.  BUT GOD, He is still very much in control and this passage reminds us of that.

God has too much invested in His people and the world to let them go….  There is a remnant (fiercely loyal minority) always left, who is not thinking of self-interest but continues with the pursuit of proclaiming life in Jesus, freedom in Jesus and allowing God to use them to share Jesus to the world.

Jesus gave His life for us, and we are to give our lives for our community.  We are the only Bible some people will ever read.

Like this passage below us – As we allow God to ‘make us’ into all He wants us to be – we become those who let God pursue His interest in us.

Romans 11 v 5 – 6 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

The Message: When Israel tried to be right with God on her own, pursing her own self-interest, she didn’t succeed.  The chosen ones of God were those who let God pursue His interest in them…

Lord help me to become all you want me to be.  Help me to be like Jesus to those around me that they could see your love, grace and mercy flowing from me.  Please change me and make me more like you.  Use me Lord to reach your people and those who don’t know you yet.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta