Daily Bible Reading – April 2022: God’s Renewing Word of HopeSample

April 21

Introduction

For the remainder of this plan, we will be reading excerpts from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. The main theme of this letter is that all people, both Jews, and Gentiles, need to be put right with God, for all alike are under the power of sin. And people are put right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this letter about 55-56 AD to introduce himself to the followers of Christ in Rome, who likely included new Gentile Christians as well as Jewish Christians. In chapters 9-11, Paul wrestles with the question of how Jews and Gentiles fit into God’s plan for all people. In today’s reading, Paul expresses great sorrow and pain as he considers his fellow Jews - who do not trust in Jesus to make them acceptable to God.

Scripture Reading

Romans 9:1-18

Today’s Key Verse: Romans 9:16

Everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God’s mercy.

Reflect

What is the cause of Paul’s sorrow and pain (verses 2, 3)? In verses 4 and 5, how does Paul describe God’s relationship to the people of Israel? According to what Paul writes in verses 7 and 8, who are the true descendants of Abraham as a result of God’s promise, as cited in Genesis 18:10 and 21:1-2? (When Paul speaks of children born in the “usual way” he is referring to Abraham’s descendants through Ishmael, his son by Hagar, who was Sarah’s slave woman; see also Genesis 16:15 and Galatians 4:22-23.)

Pray

Almighty God, I trust in your great mercy. You are a God of justice and compassion and I seek to worship you alone and praise your holy name. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Romans 9:19-33: The apostle Paul discusses God’s anger and mercy.