Devotion #1: It Is Always for Our Good

Today, we are diving into a passage in Romans that deals with some big questions: “What is God’s plan for Israel? Does God still have a future for His chosen people?” Paul addresses this in Romans 11:1-10. 

Here is how he starts in verse 1: “I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin.” Paul begins by making it clear that God has not rejected Israel. God’s promises are never broken, and despite Israel’s history of straying, His love and commitment remain constant. 

Paul then reminds us of Elijah’s story (verses 2-4), a time when Elijah felt completely alone in his faith. Elijah thought he was the only one left who was true to God, but God reassured him: “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” Even when it looked like all hope was lost, God had preserved a faithful remnant. 

What does that mean for Israel’s future? Paul says, “So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace” (verse 5). Even now, God is working among the Jewish people, preserving a group who remain faithful to Him. This remnant is not based on their works or performance but on God’s grace. Grace is at the heart of God’s relationship with His people. It is a gift, unearned and undeserved, both for Israel and for us. 

In verses 7-10, Paul goes deeper, saying that while some in Israel have hardened their hearts, God’s promises still stand. “What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened…” This hardening is not God’s permanent judgment but rather a temporary state. God’s plan is unfolding, and He still has a future for Israel. This hardening is a part of His greater plan to eventually bring both Jews and Gentiles into His Kingdom. 

So, what can we take away from this? First, it reminds us of God’s faithfulness. Even when people stray or resist Him, He does not abandon His promises. Second, it is a call to trust God’s timing. He has a plan for Israel, for the Church, and for each of us that He is faithfully working out, even when it seems slow or unclear. 

As we go about our day, let us remember that God is always faithful to His promises. If He is that committed to Israel, we can trust He is committed to us, too. His love and grace are steadfast, and His plan, though sometimes hard to understand, is always for our good.