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Timothy: 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, I am grateful for another day that You have given me in this life. I thank You for the Eternal Living Word of God that You have given to humanity, which nourishes the spirit and soul of those who believe in You. I pray to Christ for renewed strength in my physical body and to the Holy Spirit to guide me in the truth of the Word of God. I thank Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Dear Father, I would like to present my understanding of Romans 9:14-26 regarding Your sovereign choice. I understand that You are the Almighty God, who created all things and rules over all things. You can do whatever You want, but Your actions never go against Your nature of love, holiness, and righteousness. Therefore, You are never partial to anyone, nor are You unjust to anyone.

Sometimes, as humans, we only see the immediate and external circumstances of others, and we do not have enough evidence to judge why You do this or that for someone. But You, Father, know everything, even the thoughts of the human spirit, and You treat everyone according to Your knowledge. Sometimes it seems that the wicked, who openly commit crimes, are healthy, wealthy, powerful, and long-lived, while the people of God are persecuted, suffering, and even killed by those wicked people. From a fleshly perspective, it appears that You are being unfair. But by faith, we understand that You allow these things to happen for the benefit of Your people. And surely, You will reward each person according to their deeds. Evil deeds will be punished accordingly, while good deeds, such as enduring suffering and unjust treatment for the sake of God’s name, will be greatly rewarded.

In reality, Father, You love all people and want them to be saved, to come to the knowledge of the truth, as the Holy Spirit teaches in I Timothy 2:4. And love includes mercy. Therefore, even though You will have mercy on whomever You choose, You have already had mercy on all people. Your words in Ezekiel 18:32 say, “For I do not have delight in the death of him who dies, declares the Lord Jehovah. So turn and live.” You always give the wicked a chance to repent according to their conscience’s accusation, even if they deserve to die, be angry at, and are suitable for destruction. Even though in this life, some people are used by You for noble purposes, while others are used for ignoble purposes; but in the afterlife, You reward each person accordingly. I believe that even the children who are killed before they are born by their parents who do not take responsibility for their actions, You have a plan and purpose for them in Your kingdom.

I understand and believe that God is just and good. He can do anything, but He will never do any injustice to any person or nation. On the contrary, God’s blessings are too great for humans, who have a rebellious nature towards Him.

I am grateful for the opportunity to reflect on Your sovereign choice, which You always make in accordance with love, holiness, and justice. I rejoice in Your grace. I trust completely in You, entrusting myself to Your mercy and faithfulness. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
03/29/2023