The Good from the Bad

When my father died several years ago, it was quite unexpected: he was vacationing with my mother in Jamaica. As it turned out, he died of what was a very treatable condition; but because he received the poorest of treatment in a very low-level hospital, he had no chance. Even in that tragedy I believed, as Paul declares, that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). I gave the homily at Dad’s funeral, preaching the gospel to a large audience comprised mostly of unbelievers. His death enabled many to hear the good news of Jesus (some doubtless for the first time).

As a result of God’s sovereign hardening, the nation of Israel has rejected and continues to reject Jesus the Messiah. Paul raises the objection that some Jews might have against God’s plan: “Then why does God still blame us?” (v 19). The answer: God has the right to do whatever he wants with whatever he has created.

Not only is God most glorified whenever he reveals more of himself, but Gentiles now come to faith, enabling them to call Jesus their Messiah (vv 25-26). When the Jews rejected Jesus, God sent Paul to preach to the Gentiles (see Acts 13:46-49). Consequently, God now calls Gentiles—people not part of his original covenant with Moses—his very own.

But now the Gentiles can be included. From great evil (Christ being rejected by his own people) great good has come about. Indeed, as Joseph told his brothers after they jumped him, stripped him, and sold him into slavery: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20).

Respond in Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank you that you are so great and powerful that nothing and no one can ever stop your plans from being fulfilled. I thank you that that truth applies to my own life, as well as to those around me. Lord, give me eyes to see how you’re working so that I might join with you through prayer and simple obedience in order to advance your purposes, for the glory of God. Amen.

Wayne Baxter