DAY 224

NEVER BEYOND GOD’S REACH

Psalm 81, 82 & 83 and Romans 11:19-36

Do you ever think it is too late, that you are somehow beyond God’s reach? Do you ever think there are some people that are beyond God’s reach (I know we are not suppose to judge, but maybe there are those moments)?

Chapter 11 of Romans answers that question for God’s Chosen People, and in fact for all of us. Paul has been dealing with the troubling situation of his own people, people from whom Jesus’ earthly parents descend…Jesus the Jewish Savior that the some, maybe even many of the Jewish people, reject.

Paul has been “asking and answering questions” as he has probed this dilemma. In chapter 9 he deals with the paradox that they are both uniquely privileged while entrenched in unbelief. He explores whether God has somehow been unfaithful or unjust in the matter; the answer is “of course not,” but rather this is all part of God’s plan and purpose. In chapter 10 he presses further into their human obstinacy in the face of God’s advances. As I have been reading about Israel, I cannot help but think about much of our so-called current Christian world which has similarly rejected Christ; all those who have been baptized, all those who are “culturally Christian.” Many of these people that I meet have been hurt by the church, by Christians who have judged them. Others of them have been “dealt a difficult “hand” in life” and so struggle with how a loving God could allow such a situation. The people of Paul’s day have those and other issues.

As we turn into chapter 11 Paul looks at the implications of this situation by asking two questions…and keeping it at this level keeps it somewhat simple:

1.      I ask then, did God reject his people? By no means (verse 1a) and he continues to unpack this verses 1-10.

2.      Again I ask, did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! (verse 11a) and he continues in verses 12-32 culminating in a song of praise, a doxology for the balance of the chapter.

The point for Paul’s kinsman and for ours is quite simple…no one is ever beyond God’s reach. He has not rejected…He is waiting…like a parent for the children He loves.  I so often want “it all to work out now.” By that I mean I want people who are rejecting Jesus to accept him now. But God has a plan and a purpose. Our job is to keep praying for those we know and those we don’t who have yet to fall in the merciful loving arms of God. And to pray that those “things,” those “issues” which have gotten between them and God will dissolve away, and then God will be able to connect with them…for no one is ever beyond His reach and love.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Another gem!