A storm is brewing to our west, Father. We welcome the rain and what Your creation will bring. We ask that You keep us safe in Your mighty hands. Amen.
Romans 11:1-10 (<<click here to read the passage)
Until a few months ago, I had given up using my phone when I went to bed. I’d plug it in and that was that. But then I was diagnosed with sleep apnea, my phone was what ended up helping me to normalize my breathing in order to go to sleep. (It helps to be “distracted” enough that your inhaling and exhaling even out.)
One of the things I do while lying in bed is play games on my phone. During the school year one thing that does not occur is having someone go to bed with me. Because I get up very early, I go to bed early – 9:00. Karen usually stays up until around 10:00 – I guess initially I’m “noisy” getting everything to even out breathing-wise, so the extra time ensures I’m quiet when she gets there.
Well now that we are not in school, we go to bed at about the same time. She’s a tease and likes to touch my arm or my shoulder. (She’s actually trying to get me to put away my phone because it “blinds” her.) I shouldn’t respond the way I do, but I most often tell her not to bother me. I might even say, “Leave me alone!”
The Apostle Paul, in today’s passage, is answering the question has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? v1 He gives an emphatic, “No!”, but goes on to say that a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.
They were faithful, but it was through God’s kindness…not by their good works that God’s grace was extended to them—free and undeserved. vs5-6 NLT
So, does this apply to us? Yes, it does.
My Life Application Study Bible notes state that, “the hearts of the rest were hardened” v7 – those who did not remain faithful – and the hardening of their hearts was God’s punishment for their sin. It was a confirmation of their own stubbornness. In judging them, God removed their ability to see and hear and to turn from sin; thus, they would experience the consequences of their rebellion. Resisting God is like saying to him “Leave me alone!”
Though we may not think it is so, the statement – “Leave me alone!” is, in essence, a prayer, and because God is always and everywhere present, his answer to that prayer might be to agree and make that person [us] less sensitive, more hardened to him. The very possibility of that happening ought to keep us asking God specifically for ears that really hear and eyes that really see openness and responsiveness to him.
May that be our prayer to avoid hardness of heart – God, may we have ears that really hear and eyes that really see openness and responsiveness to You. Amen.
July 20th, 2023, Thurs, 7:00 pm
