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Priscilla: Romans 9:14-26
God’s Sovereign Choice

14 What then shall we say? Is there not unrighteousness with God? Let it not be!

15 For He said to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will pity whomever I will pity.” Ex. 33:19

16 So, then, it is not of the one willing, nor of the one running, but of the One showing mercy, of God.

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very thing I raised you up, so that I might display My power in you, and so that My name might be publicized in all the earth.” Ex. 9:16

18 So, then, to whom He desires, He shows mercy. And to whom He desires, He hardens.

19 You will then say to me, Why does He yet find fault? For who has resisted His will?

20 Yes, rather, O man, who are you answering against God? Shall the thing formed say to the One forming it, Why did You make me like this? Isa. 29:16

21 Or does not the potter have authority over the clay, out of the one lump to make one vessel to honor, and one to dishonor? Jer. 18:6

22 But if God, desiring to demonstrate His wrath, and to make His power known, endured in much long-suffering vessels of wrath having been fitted out for destruction,

23 and that He make known the riches of His glory on vessels of mercy which He before prepared for glory,

24 whom He also called, not only us, of Jews, but also out of nations.

25 As also He says in Hosea, I will call those Not My people, My people! And those not beloved, Beloved! Hosea 2:23

26 “And it shall be, in the place where it was said to them, You are not My people, there they will be called, “Sons of the Living God.” LXX-Hos. 2:1; MT-Hos. 2:23

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, today I present what I understand through reflecting on Your words in Romans 9:14-26 about the sovereignty of Your choice.

Dear God, verses 14 to 16 help me understand that You are a God of love, rich in mercy and compassion. Your absolute power is executed in truth, justice, and holiness when You reward good and punish evil. But before You punish the wicked who disobey Your law, You show patience and wait for them to repent. You have bestowed grace on those who confess their sins and accept the redemption of Christ. They will not suffer the punishment of eternal damnation in hell. I know that they do not deserve forgiveness, nor do they earn it. But through Your mercy, You have predetermined their happiness in the Everlasting Kingdom of God. They will be illuminated by the glory of God, which is love, holiness, and righteousness.

Dear God, verses 17 to 19 help me understand that You are the Creator of humanity, and You have complete authority to deal with everyone according to Your will. Humans are also granted the freedom to choose to obey You or rebel against You. Those who choose to live according to Your will shall receive Your rewards. You choose to show mercy to whom You will and harden the hearts of whom You will. Through the story of Pharaoh, I understand that You gave him many chances to repent and obey You, but he kept resisting. Therefore, You made his heart even harder so that You could inflict greater punishment on him and on the land of Egypt to demonstrate Your majesty and power. You knew beforehand that Pharaoh would rebel against You until the end, and You used it as an opportunity to display Your majesty.

Dear God, verses 20 to 22 help me understand that You created humanity in Your image and likeness, and that You love everyone without partiality. However, You also have a plan and purpose for each person’s life. You are the Creator of all people and therefore have complete authority to deal with them according to Your will. You may allow one person to live in poverty from birth to adulthood, while another may be born into wealth. You may bestow a gift of service or ministry in the Church on one person, like a precious vase used for important occasions, while another may not hold any position in the Church, like a simple vase used for humble purposes. Yet in all of this, You are not partial or unjust. You are the One who searches the hearts of people and knows all things, from the past to the future. Your work is always done according to Your all-knowing, perfect, good, and all-powerful will.

Dear God, verses 23 to 26 help me understand that the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament by the Prophet Hosea were not just for the Israelites but for all nations. Therefore, today, God’s people in any nation are united in the Church, the holy people of God, the children of God, given by You an eternal inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven. You have already predetermined those who will not believe in You, regardless of their nationality, to be destroyed and lost forever.

Thank You, Father, for choosing me to be among those whom You have predestined for peace and everlasting life. I know that Your mercy is offered to all people, but only those who believe and obey You will be chosen to receive the Eternal Kingdom of God. I am grateful to You, Father, for choosing me and placing me in Your Church. May Your love, grace, and faithfulness cover me forever. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Priscilla Christian Huynh
03/29/2023