Today’s devotion comes from Romans 1:8-15.
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.” Romans 1:8-15.
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It was a good thing for Paul to do (preach the gospel to those in Rome).
It was also good for Paul to be so eager to do it.
But, for some unknown reason, Paul was “prevented so far” from doing it according to “the will of God”.
Likewise, there may be some good things that we can do and that we are eager to do, but for some unknown reason we are “prevented so far” from doing it according to “the will of God”.
Other doctrine is baffled, bewildered, discouraged, and dismayed.
But, Reformed Doctrine is patient, peaceful, joyful, and steadfast, because it trusts God and His sovereignty.
Reformed Doctrine is thankful and praises God, knowing that God will establish His purpose and accomplish all of His good pleasure.
“19 The LORD has established His throne in the heavens,
And His sovereignty rules over all.
20 Bless the LORD, you His angels,
Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word!
21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will.” Psalm 103:19-21.
“The mind of man plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9.
“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6.
Individually, we may not do it. But, God will do it.
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.” 1 Corinthians 3:5-7.
Even though Paul had not yet gone to Rome to preach the gospel, Paul recognized the work of God in “all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints”. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.” Verses 7-8.
“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘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 46:9-11.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 