God Pause for Wednesday, 8/13/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Wednesday, 8/13/2014 Reading: Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
This summer we have been studying the semi-continuous reading of the lectionary and digging deep into our family tree (going WAY back!) as we are inspired by the biblical stories of such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and others who weren't exactly perfect. They often didn't have it all together. And yet God used them! "For the gifts of God are irrevocable!"
And notice--the story of God's chosen people is not a story about perfect people. But God chooses them anyway. God promises that he will provide for them anyway. God remains their God anyway.
May we know that God's mercy is always a gift, no matter what. To receive God's mercy--what a gift! By definition mercy is kind or forgiving treatment of someone who could be treated harshly. We know that we could be treated harshly. Our sin would indicate that we should be treated harshly. But by the grace of God, we are loved anyway. We are forgiven anyway.
God of grace, may we be forever conscious of the wondrous gift of your mercy. And may we be ready to show mercy as you have shown mercy to us. Amen.
Amanda Schultz Pastor of Bethany, Immanuel and Trinity Lutheran Churches, Cashton, Wis. Master of Divinity, 2013
Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32 (NRSV)
1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. 32 For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
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