Scripture to Read: Romans 9:6–8
At first glance of Romans 9:6, it’s as if people may have been thinking, “If the Israelites are God’s chosen people, then maybe God’s promise to Israel failed.” But God’s Word never fails (Isaiah 55:11, Psalms 33:11, Proverbs 19:21, Isaiah 40:8, Luke 16:17). God used Paul to show the believers in Rome and us today that being a descendant of Abraham was no guarantee of being saved. God’s Word says, in Romans 9:6–7, …For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “through Isaac your descendants will be named.” God used Paul to show us in Galatians 4:22–31 how Ishmael represented a nation that God’s Law had enslaved because no one was, or is, capable of fulfilling God’s Law. But Isaac was the picture of God fulfilling His promise that a Deliverer would come and set everyone free from the bondage of the Law. Our Deliverer is Christ, Who was an earthly descendent of Isaac. Isaac was the child God had promised Abraham in Genesis 15:4, …the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” Then God reminded Abraham of His promise and told him how His promise would be fulfilled in Genesis 18:10. Romans 9:8 ends with this, the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. Everyone born of Christ is a child of the promise.
Challenge & Application
Why is it so important to know and to stand on the Truth that God’s Word never fails?
As a child of promise, how are you living your life so others know that Christ has set you free from the bondage of the Law?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!