Though I was a little under the weather, I still was able to accomplish a fair amount today, Father. Thank You for Your support and encouragement.
Romans 9:10-14 (<<click here to read the passage)
To be totally honest, I sometimes struggle with favorites on my bus route. Some kids, for a multitude of reasons, just hit it off with me, and they probably get away with far more than they should. Other kids are very adept at breaking – not just bending the rules – and then it becomes an issue of boxing them into that mindset.
One child has been a handful for some time now, and I’ve had to consciously not think that they are up to no good at any point in the day, every day! I realize their home life is not the best and I also blatantly see that they desire friends, but their actions often alienate them from others.
I try to be fair but often it is just plain difficult to do so!
Aren’t we glad that God is not that way with us? He loves us for who we are and for who we can be. But the thing is He knows us through and through, and there are probably things in life that we experience – or don’t experience – because He knows who we are. My Life Application Study Bible states that God is sovereign; he is not arbitrary, that is He is not random, capricious, or illogical.
In today’s passage, the Apostle Paul speaks of Jacob and Esau. “…before they were born, before they had done anything good or bad” their mother, Rebekah, received a message from God. It sounds pretty harsh, and, from our limited human perspective, extremely unfair.
“The older (Esau) will serve the younger (Jacob).” As it is written and forever remains written, “Jacob I loved (chose, protected, blessed), but Esau I hated (held in disregard compared to Jacob).” v12-13 AMP
Just reading those words may get our dander up a bit!
One thing we must realize is that the loved and hated references are from the Old Testament book of Malachi and refers to the nations of Israel and Edom (Esau’s descendants) rather than to the individual brothers. God chose Jacob to continue the family line of the faithful because he knew his heart was for God. But he did not exclude Esau from knowing and loving him.
As we well know, God knows us. We are not cast in an unbreakable die. We can choose to follow God or not. In all things he works for our good; he is trustworthy; he will save all who believe in him. When we understand these qualities of God, we know that his choices are good even if we don’t understand all his reasons.
Lord Jesus, first help us to make the choice to follow You. And then secondly, help us to understand, even though it may be hard, to trust You in all things. Amen.
July 5th, 2023, Wed, 6:50 pm
