Bible Reading: Psalm 81,82,83; Romans 11:19-36
“For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?” Romans 11:24 (KJV)
The relationship between God and His chosen people, the Jews reminded me of the relationship between a father and son I met sometime ago. The father loves God so much and would do anything for the gospel. The son, on the other hand, was so nonchalant it was clear he doesn’t want to join in the whole business. The father so much believed that his son would take this gospel to a far greater level than he, the father, is doing at the moment but became worried when years past and the son showed no sign of picking up.
The father eventually opened up the door of, not only his house but everything he has to other boys from outside who love God and are excited about the gospel. Ordinarily, this man from what I saw, would never have given any outsider a chance to come near his home or family but love for God and the gospel made him do that. He really needed assistance in the work. At a time, the son started feeling being left out, unloved and hated but still, would not change his mind. His dad loves him so much and cannot wait for the day he would come in to join him in the Lord.
The Jews were and are still God’s chosen people. Nothing can change that. But their unbelief through outright rejection of His Son, Jesus Christ, and holding fast to the law as their way to righteousness eventually made God give the Gentiles an opportunity to come to Him. He even sent them an apostle in the person of Paul. This made the Jews jealous and yet would not accept Jesus Christ. Romans 11:28 (KJV), “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes.” God still has a place for them because of the covenant he had with their forefathers.
God does not change His mind about whom He chooses and blesses (Romans 11:29). Just like the father I mentioned above loves and still patiently looks forward to the day his beloved son will join him in serving the Lord, there are so many others whom God has ordained to be saved but are yet to. So, show all men love by spreading the gospel like Paul and let God do the remaining by bringing them in at His own time.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the opportunity to be a part of Your kingdom especially for the fact that I did not deserve it at all. Thank You Jesus.
Bro. Onyema Aghanenu