Romans 9: 1-5 (NRSV)
Read Romans 9: 1-5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit- Verse 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. Verse 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Verse 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; Verse 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Devotion
To have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in your heart for someone implies that you care deeply for that person and want them to have peace and comfort. It also indicates that these things are missing from their life, otherwise you wouldn’t have great sorrow and anguish.
Paul is very careful to point out that his kindred, the Israelites, have been blessed by God with many gifts and promises that are forever valid. That is not the reason for Paul’s anguish.
The root of Paul’s concern is found in verse three: “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people...” His anguish is from the lack of a relationship between Christ the Savior and the Israelites. It is the relationship of peace and security with Christ that Paul is willing to give up so that his own people should have it. This relationship with Christ is for everybody. To what lengths will we go to show God’s relationship to those who don’t see it?
Prayer
Gracious God, even with all your promises, gifts and directions we wander and lose sight of what is important right now while worrying about the future. You have promised us everlasting life with you and yet we focus on what is available to us right now: a rich and loving life with Christ. Help us to overcome our fears and remove the demons of doubt that keep us from living in your kingdom on earth. Amen.