October 1, 2017
Evening Service

Paul in chapter 9 began to touch on the sovereignty of God.  He used history to help to prove his point as he retold us of how God chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at His own discretion.  There were others He could have chosen, but He chose them.  The next example was that of Pharaoh.  God chose to harden his heart and used him to reveal His mighty power upon Egypt so the whole world would know Him.  Paul said this in 9:15-16.

 Romans 9:15-16  For He said to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."  (16)  So then it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of God, the One showing mercy.

·         We then deduced the obvious, we are part of God’s world He is not just part of ours.  He is the One in control and very much in charge.

·         Paul continued his explanation by using this comparison:

 

Romans 9:20-21  No, but, O man, who are you who replies against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him who formed it, “Why have you made me this way?”  (21)  Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel to honor and another to dishonor?

·         What right do we as the creation have to question the Creator? 

·         This brought to my mind the story of Job.  We have all heard it and are familiar with it.  Job served God well and God blessed him greatly for it.

 

Read Job 1:6-22

·         And we think we have bad days?

·         Job was faithful so that Satan asked to increase his suffering.

 

Read Job 2:1-10

·         Still Job did not sin with his lips.  It was then that he had three friends to arrive to comfort him, if that is what you call it.  They began to try to convince Job that all this trouble was a judgment from God for some sin he had committed.  Their visit caused Job to begin to question God about his situation and how it is not fair.  The creation questioning the Creator.

·         In chapter 38 God finally speaks to Job.  He does not answer his questions, but He asks Job His own set of questions that help Job to realize the true sovereignty of God.  I believe it can do the same for us.

 

Read Job 38:1-41

·         Do you feel pretty small now?  I do.

 

Read Job 40:1-14

 

 

 

God has given each of us our own road, journey and life to live.  He has promised to go with us and never leave us or forsake us.  He has promised to hear and answer our prayers.  He is able to do all that we ask of him BUT we must realize He is in control and has the final decision.

 

 It is just as Jesus told Peter when he asked about John’s future; “If I will that he remains till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.”   All of our journeys are unique from one another, but yet also very similar.  Be faithful to walk the path God has laid out for you faithfully and trust Him to work it all out for the good in the end.  We can take great comfort in knowing He is in control and He loves us far more than we could ever understand.  Hope never disappoints and love never fails.