Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Thursday, 5 July 2018 "God is Merciful" by William Coker, Jr. - Romans 9:14-24.

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living - The Global of the Nazarene's Foundry Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States for Thursday, 5 July 2018 "God is Merciful" by William Coker, Jr. - Romans 9:14-24.
Romans 9:14 So are we to say, “It is unjust for God to do this”? Heaven forbid! 15 For to Moshe he says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will pity whom I pity.”[Romans 9:15 Exodus 33:19] 16 Thus it doesn’t depend on human desires or efforts, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Tanakh says to Pharaoh, “It is for this very reason that I raised you up, so that in connection with you I might demonstrate my power, so that my name might be known throughout the world.”[Romans 9:17 Exodus 9:16] 18 So then, he has mercy on whom he wants, and he hardens whom he wants.
19 But you will say to me, “Then why does he still find fault with us? After all, who resists his will?” 20 Who are you, a mere human being, to talk back to God? Will what is formed say to him who formed it, “Why did you make me this way?”[Romans 9:20 Isaiah 29:16, 45:9] 21 Or has the potter no right to make from a given lump of clay this pot for honorable use and that one for dishonorable? (Complete Jewish Bible).
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Grappling with complex theological questions, Dr. Rob Staples informed students, often requires placing them back on the shelf of ‘suspended judgment’ for later re-examination. He did not suggest that we throw up our hands and conclude that the mysteries of God are impossible to comprehend with finite minds. Yet, we should not expect that God’s ways are our ways, nor should we lend ourselves to complaints toward God because of what we surmise about His dealings. God welcomes honest questions; however, His responses often challenge human reasoning.
Vessels labeled as “special” and “common” connote a difference of importance, yet they are equal in value because they both function to fulfill God’s purpose.
I had a young client whose visual disorder effected his ability to read; he processed only one letter at a time rather than whole words. Imagine trying to examine the constellations in the sky by looking through a microscope. To appreciate God’s mercy throughout history, step back and see the riches of His glory through the objects of His mercy: "even us, whom He also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles"(verse 24).

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Hymn for Today: "The Love of God" by Frederick M. Lehman.

1. The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
2. When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song. 
3. Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.Refrain: Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song. 

Thought for Today: Adonai, you will grant us peace;
because all we have done, you have done for us. (Isaiah 26:12) (Complete Jewish Bible)).

Please pray: That many people in Lesotho will come to know Yeshua as their Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
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