Dedicate Your Early Morning With Daily Devotions

WEDNESDAY, 3 MAY 2023

TEXT: Romans 9:1-18

1. I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit-

2. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

3. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh.

4. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises;

5. to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

6. It is not as though the word of God had failed. For not all Israelites truly belong to Israel,

7. and not all of Abraham’s children are his true descendants; but “It is through Isaac that descendants shall be named for you.”

8. This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.

9. For this is what the promise said, “About this time I will return and Sarah shall have a son.”

10. Nor is that all; something similar happened to Rebecca when she had conceived children by one husband, our ancestors, Isaac.

11. Even before they had been born or had done anything wrong good or bad (so that God’s purpose of election might continue,

12. not by works but by his call) she was told, “The elder shall serve the younger.”

13. As it is written, “I have loved Jacob, but I have hated Esau.”

14. What then are we to say? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means!

15. For he says to Moses, “I have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

16. So it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who shows mercy.

17. For the scripture says to Pharaoh, “I have raised you up for the very purpose of showing my power in you, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth.”

18. So then he has mercy on whomever he chooses, and he hardens the heart of whomever he chooses.

(New Revised Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: SPEAKING THE TRUTH

The truth must be told, even if it is bitter! Paul makes it clear that he was not a party to telling lies but the truth. In every clear terms, he makes us understand that God has no respect for tribe, color or race.

He argues that individual Jews and Gentiles must come to God on the same terms. Pastors, evangelists, missionaries and everyone who must preach the Word must be ready and willing to do so in spirit and in truth.

If we act like Paul, definitely the issues of tribalism, nepotism and all forms of discrimination in our churches today would be a thing of the past. Will you be among those that will preach the Word in love?

QUESTION: Do you speak the Word in spirit and in truth?

PRAYER: Father, let Your Word prosper in my mouth as I declare it in truth. Amen.