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Hear the devotional: https://bit.ly/45sAcS6.
View here: https://bit.ly/3DScd3l 1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. (Romana 11:1-2a, 29-32 NIV Bible)
We catch up with the regret that Paul had about reaching his brethern in the Jewish faith, asking both for himself and for his readers an important question, "Did God reject His people?" He knew the answer but it was necessary for him to say it again, "By no means!" Paul again stresses his heritage and lineage and his strong belief that God does not reject His people. He also shares something we all need to hear that God does not revoke His gifts and His call. I've mentioned the question our bishop would ask us during some cabinet meetings about whether God calls anyone out of ministry. Paul would say no. Some humans in authority might try to withdraw folks from appointments to local churches, but deep within the soul of those genuinely called, the desire to serve burns ever brightly and strongly. Those called by God will continue to preach and serve and proclaim as long as they have breath. Two mentors in my life, The Rev. Dr. Alfredo Nañez, was a retired pastor active in our church El Buen Pastor of Edinburg when Nellie, our girls, and I, were in campus ministry. Dr. Nañez would still do the preaching and sharing of the gospel on Wednesday night and it was on one such Wednesday night that he collapsed while leading and later died. The second was The Rev. Dr. Josue Gonzalez, who while preaching at an annual conference session of The Rio Grande Conference, also collapsed and later died in the Georgetown Hospital and I know both would not have had it any other way.
Paul then talks of finding mercy even during a time of disobedience. Actually, anyone of faith who went through normal teenage years knows all about disobedience and how difficult it was to fly in the straight and narrow; but I could speak of mercy shown me by my Dad and Mom, but more importantly shown me by my Heavenly Father. The darkness of those days was perfect for God to shine forth His love as a beautiful sunrise of acceptance and peace. And even now, as verse 32 shares, "God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on them (us) all." Those who turn back to God will find His tender mercy on us all. Stay away or staying separated from God should not be an option for us.
PRAYER: Loving God, embrace us in our disobedience. We humbly come before You, amazed by the depth of Your plan. Just as You never rejected Your chosen people, may we never stray from Your path of righteousness. Help us to embrace the unfailing mercy You offer, a mercy that knows no bounds. In Christ's strong name we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Ask God to free us and all who are still bound up in disobedience so we can experience the tenderness of His love!
Receive my blessings of love and joy,
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
