It won’t change, and you’ll never fully understand. Praise God!
By Dean Collins
You can’t change it and you are never going to fully understand it.
It’s true for all kinds of topics. Some might get me in trouble, and with others we would probably agree. Our love for our children or grandchildren might be safe. We will love them no matter what, and we may never be able to articulate why grandchildren create such an amazing bond for grandparents. But if you try to explain some people’s stubborn loyalty to their political party, a fight might break out. We get mighty stubborn defending our politics, even when presented with damaging information about our preferred political leader.
As the apostle Paul comes to the end of chapter 11 of his letter to the Romans, two words jump out. They are powerful words, but I suspect they are also words you don’t use very often. Irrevocable. Inscrutable. Paul is talking about some things you can’t change and some things you’ll never fully understand.
It won’t change!
When was the last time you used the word irrevocable? If I had to guess, it likely had something to do with financial planning regarding you or a family member’s estate. Some trusts include the word irrevocable, meaning they cannot be changed except through a legal process, and there are very few exceptions.
God made promises to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, and later to David that were fulfilled in and through Jesus; and these promises will never be taken away. Paul is telling his audience that the promise made to Israel remains. Paul experienced a transformation when as a Pharisee he chose to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. His call was to spread the gospel far and wide and especially to the Gentiles. In Romans, he makes clear God’s offer of salvation extended to all people, it didn’t change any of his promises to those of Jewish faith. What is required by all people to receive all of God’s gifts is repentance of sin and acceptance of God’s grace, mercy, and love in Christ. Nothing and no one can change God’s promises. God stands behind them.
It’s hard to understand!
I suspect there is even a lesser chance that you have recently used the word inscrutable. However, I bet you would agree that there are many aspects of God and his ways that are very hard to understand! I love how Eugene Peterson translates Romans 11:33-36:
“Have you ever come on anything quite like this extravagant generosity of God, this deep, deep wisdom? It’s way over our heads. We’ll never figure it out. Is there anyone around who can explain God? Anyone smart enough to tell him what to do? Anyone who has done him such a huge favor that God has to ask his advice? Everything comes from him; everything happens through him; everything ends up in him. Always glory! Always praise! Yes. Yes. Yes.”
Don’t you agree? God’s generosity to us is extravagant. We don’t deserve a bit of God’s grace and mercy, including the cascading benefits to us included through his love. We will never figure out how and why God loves us so much, but he does. And no matter how smart we think we are or how much we read Scripture, we will never be able to fully explain God.
But the great benefit to us is that all things come to us from God and he offers a resounding YES to our greatest need. He is always for us and he will remain so all the way through the end of this life and into eternity.
Father, we praise you and thank you for your gifts and promises that stand true today as they always have. Today we rejoice even when we can’t understand all that you are and all that you have done to prove your great love for us. Use us today to share your love with someone nearby. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your time with God’s Word
Romans 11:29-36 ESV
Photo by Alec Favale on Unsplash
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