“For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.” Romans 9:17-18

The Scriptures teach us (cf. Exodus 9:16) that God raised an unbelieving and stubborn Pharaoh to power for the very reason that He might show His power over Pharaoh and his mighty armies through grievous plagues and their utter destruction in the Red Sea. God did this so that His name would be declared in all the earth and people would hear of His almighty power and turn back to Him. Therefore, in accord with His perfect will, God shows mercy on those He chooses to show mercy, and He hardens in their unbelief those whom He chooses to harden.

O all-wise and all-powerful God, I thank You for not dealing with me as I deserve, but for showing me mercy and calling me to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus and His cross for pardon and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?” Romans 9:22-24

Some would fault God for their own unbelief, but who are we to fault God when He finally hardens those who continually reject the truth of His Word and the work of His Spirit? And, how thankful we can be when God, by the Holy Spirit’s working through the Word, graciously brings us, undeserving sinners, to repent of our sins and place our faith in the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, Christ Jesus!

Thank you, merciful Holy Spirit, for patiently enduring my sinfulness and working through Your Word to bring me to repent and place my faith in Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.” Romans 9:15-16

Many think that God’s choosing is based upon some goodness or willingness in us, but God’s Word teaches us that God’s mercy and His election are entirely of His grace. We all deserve His wrath and punishment. The fact that some are brought to faith in Christ Jesus and receive God’s mercy is entirely due to His undeserved love and compassion.

O gracious and merciful God, thank You for having mercy upon my soul and granting me faith and life in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.” Psalm 1:5-6

When Christ returns in judgment, the ungodly will be condemned and their way of life shall perish. Only those who repent of their sinful ways and look to the Lord Jesus Christ and His cross for mercy will stand on that day.

O gracious God, have mercy upon us, forgive our sins for Jesus’ sake, and grant us a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]

“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.” Psalm 1:3-4

The one who reads and meditates in God’s Word and heeds its message is like a tree planted by rivers of water. Even in times of trouble and drought, it continues to grow and prosper and produce fruit. Those who do not hear and heed the Bible’s message are like chaff that the wind blows away at threshing time.

Grant that I hear, read, and meditate in Your Word, O God, and heed its message. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]