Today’s devotion comes from Romans 11:17-24.
“17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree,
18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.”
20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear;
21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.
22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off.
23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?” Romans 11:17-24
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Today’s devotion continues the specific hope that we all have, focusing primarily again on the Jews. We remember the context of today’s Scripture, namely the God’s decree of reprobation.
It seems like there is no hope for the Jews when we read 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, there is hope! The Jews, “if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again … how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?” This reminds me of the hope that the “Prodigal Son” had, because he had a “Faithful Father”!
“But when he (“the Prodigal Son”) came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:17-23.
Today’s Scripture also contains a warning for us Gentiles, in a sense, the “Elder Son”: “do not be arrogant toward the branches (Jews) … Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either.” Romans 11:18-20. “And they (Jews) also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” Romans 11:23.
We are exhorted to persevere in our faith. But, we can look to our “Faithful Father” to give us the grace to persevere. “Perseverance of the Saints” a/k/a “Preservation of the Saints” is part of the doctrine of the grace of salvation, “TULIP”.
In conclusion, above all, we have a “Faithful Father”. In Luke Chapter 15, we have the three parables: “the Lost Sheep” parable, “the Lost Coin” parable, and this “Prodigal Son” parable which could also be titled “the Lost Son” parable. We have a “Faithful Father” who is “the Good Shepherd” Who leaves the ninety-nine in the open pasture and goes after the one which is lost until He finds it, and when He has found it, He lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. We have a “Faithful Father” who is the “the Good Household Manager” Who lights a lamp and sweeps the house and searches carefully until He finds the lost coin, and when He has found it, He calls together His friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!’ We have a “Faithful Father” Who feels compassion for us, His sons, Who finds us and restores us, Who embraces us and kisses us, Who clothes us with His righteousness, and Who even throws a party to celebrate our return.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 