By: Nicole Miners
Through the first 10 chapters of the book of Romans, Paul describes the Jews who failed to receive the righteousness of God and eventually became hardened because they sought it by their own efforts. They worked until they wore themselves out trying to earn the favor of God and ended up with only jealousy for the people- Gentiles, even- who earned the righteousness of God through faith alone.
Reading this as a mother who has both raised a medically complex child and endured child loss, I empathize with these Jewish people.
All the times I stayed awake praying for my daughter all night long…
all the times they studied Torah to be able to recite it…
all the times I ministered to the other families in that cardiac intensive care unit…
all the times they gave their tithe, kept the Sabbath, or hosted traditional feasts…
What was the motivation behind these? Was it true worship of God and gratitude for the salvation only He can offer- the overflow of a deep and true faith- or was it an attempt to hold up our faith and have Him see it and call it worthy when we should have only been beholding His face? Are we hardened- jealous of the people whose prayers have been answered and who walk in peace- by our own misunderstanding of true faith? And if so, what hope is there for us?
In Chapter 11 of the book of Romans, Paul writes about the remnant that exists in Israel. That is, the people who are set aside unto God for salvation. They are the ones who- even as they endure hardship- remember that they have no ability in their own strength to save themselves from or through their present circumstances. Their righteousness is only a gift of
pure grace from the Lord. With the gift of righteousness comes their salvation and all the spiritual blessings wrapped up therein- promises of peace, of rest, of healing and wholeness. (The Greek word for salvation is sozo. If you take the word to Strong’s Concordance- #4982- you can study the salvation package and all that it includes for believers.) This news about God’s remnant comes as a sigh of relief because it assures readers that God’s rejection of Israel is not total or final. There is an outstanding invitation to join this remnant, to receive His righteousness, to remember that we are saved by faith and to cast aside subtle unbelief. Hebrews 4:7 says it like this: “Again he appoints a certain day. ‘Today.’”
As we enter November- a month of expressing our gratitude- you might be sitting
completely undone in the uncomfortable plastic recliner of a hospital room, exhausted on the couch after a long day of appointments for a medically complex child, or perhaps even feeling hopeless beside the headstone of your precious son or daughter who went Home ahead of you.
Gratitude might feel far from you. You might feel jealous of those whose children have been healed by the Lord, or those who never had to endure hardship like this at all. You might be wondering what more you must do to prove your faith and move God’s hand so your family can finally be free of this suffering. Oh friend, we’ve all been here- every medical parent I know, and myself too- but it’s the wrong heart to have.
Paul writes that, in God’s mercy and grace, the Jewish people were always welcomed back as they learned to fix their eyes on Him again. They were offered righteousness again and again and again. Even their stumbling created an opportunity for the righteousness of others. That’s why, by the very next chapter, Romans 12, Paul encourages us to present ourselves as living sacrifices. Even when we’re really going through it, and even when we really get it wrong, God is good to us. All that we have that we can give back to Him is our gratitude.
Heavenly Father, Help me to remember that ALL things are from You and through You and to You. Through every day and every difficult circumstance, I have an opportunity to receive Your righteousness. It’s through Your righteousness alone that my family is saved and I can have any sort of peace here. I repent of trying to prove my faith to You so You’ll take us out of this place instead of looking only to Your face and trusting You will be true to Your Word. I’m so grateful for the hope of Your Word. I love You. Amen.
Nicole Miners is a volunteer at Praying Through Ministries. She is also a writer at Nicoleminers.com.
Comments