Week 8 | Day 2
Planned Grace-Chosen Faith
Romans 9:19-29
Paul answers the protest, “Who can resist His will?” by reminding us that God is the Potter with the right to shape His redemptive story in any way he chooses. In patient mercy, He endured our sinful state as a result of the fall to offer humanity the riches of His grace. In God’s grand plan, Israel was chosen corporately to carry the promise, yet salvation is always received individually by faith. This is why the prophets foretold both a believing remnant from Israel (see Isaiah 10:22–23) and the surprising inclusion of the nations (see John 3:14-16). As a result of God’s masterful, redemptive plan—those who once were called “not my people” can now through faith in Jesus dying on the cross, can be called “My people.” Like Israel in the wilderness, each person must look in faith to God’s provision (Numbers 21:4–9 and John 3:14–16). This is God’s plan—and we each must personally respond.
Application
1. Bow to the Potter
Trust God’s wisdom when you don’t grasp His ways. Humility before His sovereignty is the doorway to peace.
2. Look and Live
Israel’s corporate calling did not save any individual; each bitten person in the wilderness had to look up in faith to God’s provision (Numbers 21) just as we must we look to Christ, lifted up for our healing (John 3:14–16).
3. Own Your Response
God initiates—convincing, convicting, and drawing—but He does not believe for us. We have to decide for ourselves what we will do with Jesus today.
4. Celebrate a Wide Mercy
God’s plan always aimed beyond one nation to welcome whosever would believe. God’s love is for everyone, everywhere—so that anyone who was “not My people” can become “My people.”
5. Grace Comes only by Personal Confession
God loved me enough to devise a foolproof plan so I could be saved—and He foreknew that I would respond to His gracious initiative, yet like every person, I must decide what I will do with Jesus because no one comes to the Father except by faith in His provision of grace.
Trust God’s wisdom when you don’t grasp His ways. Humility before His sovereignty is the doorway to peace.
2. Look and Live
Israel’s corporate calling did not save any individual; each bitten person in the wilderness had to look up in faith to God’s provision (Numbers 21) just as we must we look to Christ, lifted up for our healing (John 3:14–16).
3. Own Your Response
God initiates—convincing, convicting, and drawing—but He does not believe for us. We have to decide for ourselves what we will do with Jesus today.
4. Celebrate a Wide Mercy
God’s plan always aimed beyond one nation to welcome whosever would believe. God’s love is for everyone, everywhere—so that anyone who was “not My people” can become “My people.”
5. Grace Comes only by Personal Confession
God loved me enough to devise a foolproof plan so I could be saved—and He foreknew that I would respond to His gracious initiative, yet like every person, I must decide what I will do with Jesus because no one comes to the Father except by faith in His provision of grace.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your amazing grace—planned perfectly from the fall to the cross. When I was dead in trespasses and incapable of saving myself, You stepped from heaven into flesh and laid down Your life on the old rugged cross. Help me bow to Your wisdom, look to Your Son in faith, and live as a faithful witness so others may experience the same mercy I have received. Make me a vessel of mercy for Your glory. Amen.