Thursday, February 20, 2025

         Romans 10 is a fascinating chapter in an incredibly rich book of the Bible.  We glean much of our theology today about salvation, justification, sin and reconciliation from Paul’s letter to the Romans.  The letter to the Romans is a book about the profound hope that we possess in Christ Jesus.  Paul, trained in the law of God as a Pharisee (see Philippians 3:5), knew much about obedience and God’s expectations for Israel and beyond.  He knew the Old Testament and was guided by the Holy Spirit to quote and appropriate from the Law and prophets to shine a light of understanding on the new work that God was doing in and through His Son.  In Romans 10:20-21, Paul quoted Isaiah, “And Isaiah boldly says, ‘I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.’  But concerning Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.’”
            Any parent knows what some days can be like when a kid just does not want to listen or cooperate.  Practically every mom and dad has been at such a breaking point.  It would seem that God had reached that point with Israel multiple times.  While possessing His law, they often broke it.  While listening to the wisdom and warning of the prophets, Israel often became deaf and defiant.  And when it came to welcoming their Messiah, the very Son of God in the flesh, Israel was found wanting and lacking.  God could rightfully say that he had held out His hands to Israel “all day long.”  It sure must have felt that way to the Lord because it was true.
            But what about us today?  Are we a source of delight for the Lord or exasperation?  Do we seek and serve Him as we plainly know that we should?  It can be hard to seek the Lord if we do not know Him.  It can be hard to serve the Lord if we are not seeking Him.  To know the Lord requires us, in humility and trust, to place our full faith and trust in Him—to turn from sin and embrace His offer of grace, forgiveness and a new life in Christ.  To know the Lord is to call upon His name while giving up on our ways, excuses and efforts.  We cast our full weight and cares upon Him and Him alone. To seek the Lord means that we bathe in His Word.  We worship Him.  We praise and thank Him.  We trust Him when the obstacles seem formidable and even unassailable. To seek the Lord means we desire Him more than anything else we could have or pursue.
            Where, perhaps, has God held out his hands for you today?  Where could He be leading or calling to you?  Maybe His call is to let go of anger or bitterness, hatred or malice.  Possibly He is calling you to serve Him—in missions, where you currently work or in a new way that has become intriguing to you.  Perhaps God is holding out His hands to you as an expression of grace, forgiveness and a new beginning.  We can trust His hands and hold tightly to them.  They will neither point nor guide us astray.  God’s hands could be beckoning you to start something new or to cease something that is old and fruitless. 
            Be grateful for God’s strong and gentle hands.  His strong hands can save us and
send us to new heights and new places.  His gentle hands can forgive us and console us and enable us to rest in Him.  Be encouraged today by the words of another prophet, this time it is Jeremiah, in Lamentations, “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him” (Lamentations 3:22-24).  His hands will never drop you or let go.  And His hands will lead you in ways that are right and good.  Have a wonderful Thursday!