Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:11-16.
“11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.
12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be!
13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry,
14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them.
15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?
16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.” Romans 11:11-16.
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Today’s devotion continues the hope that we all have, but focusing on the hope that the Jews have. We remember the context of today’s Scripture, namely the God’s decree of reprobation.
It seem like there is no hope when we read yesterday’s Scripture in Romans 11:8-9: “… GOD GAVE THEM A SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES TO SEE NOT AND EARS TO HEAR NOT, DOWN TO THIS VERY DAY.” … “LET THEIR TABLE BECOME A SNARE AND A TRAP, AND A STUMBLING BLOCK AND A RETRIBUTION TO THEM. “LET THEIR EYES BE DARKENED TO SEE NOT, AND BEND THEIR BACKS FOREVER.”
But, we have a God Who raises the dead! Even when we were dead in our transgressions, God made us alive together with Christ. Ephesians 2:5. “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.’” Ezekiel 37:5-6. Notice Romans 11:15 “life from the dead”.
We have a God Who will accomplish and fulfill all of His purpose.
“… ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:10-11.
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country.
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:10-11.
Notice Romans 11:12: “their fulfillment”.
The Jews’ hope is not that they will be moved to jealousy on their own. The Jews’ hope is not that they will come to their senses on their own. The Jews’ hope, and the Gentiles’ hope, is that we all have a God Who raises from the dead and Who accomplishes and fulfills all of His purpose.
Psalm 38:15
“For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.”
“For I hope in You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.”
Psalm 42:11
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Psalm 62:5
“My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.”
“My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him.”
Psalm 71:5
“For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.”
“For You are my hope; O Lord GOD, You are my confidence from my youth.”
Psalm 146:5
“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,”
“How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God,”
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 