Scripture to Read: Romans 9:14–18
Today, we see how God led Paul to ask the ridiculous question if God is unrighteous because of His decisions. God has the right to do whatever He chooses and pleases Him (Exodus 33:19). We must remember that mercy means we DON’T get what we deserve. So, God has the right to show as much mercy or as little mercy as He chooses in each person's life. We should never think of God in human terms as if God could ever be unfair. Jesus spoke of God’s choice to do as He pleases in the parable in Matthew 20:1–16. In this parable, each person was paid what he was guaranteed, and the landowner had every right to pay what he wanted. It’s the same with God’s mercy. We should never think we, or anyone else, deserve God’s mercy. God is not obligated to give His mercy, for if He is compelled, then His mercy is no longer a gift but an obligation. When it comes to Pharaoh, God allowed him to be Pharaoh to carry out His purpose. God had told Abraham in Genesis 15:12–16 that the Israelites would be enslaved for four hundred years. God told Abraham of this about 275 years before the beginning of the enslavement of the Israelites in Egypt. Remember, God is Omniscient (all-knowing), and He knew He would use Pharaoh for His purpose. God did not harden a kind-hearted Pharaoh. God let Pharaoh's hardened heart pursue its fleshly desires (Exodus 7:13, 7:22, 8:15, 8:19, 8:32, 9:7, & 9:34).
Challenge & Application
What did God teach you today about His mercy and His sovereign choices?
How can you use what you’ve learned to help people understand God’s incredible mercy for them?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!