GOD'S RIGHT TO DECIDE

 

Romans 9:19-24  One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (NIV)

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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If you ask the question, "Does God have the right to do whatever He wants?" the answer must be "Yes!" By definition, Almighty God is all-mighty. He does not have to ask permission from anybody nor is He accountable to a committee of angels or human beings. The authority-relationship of God to His creation is the same as that of a potter to clay: He has all authority over everything and we have no authority over Him.

But this is not an aggressive dictatorship. He is a wise and loving Father who knows the 'bigger picture' behind everything. All His judgements are right according to His holy purposes which we are not big enough to understand. We cannot understand the basis on which God makes His decisions, so we may be tempted to think that He is not treating us justly. But that would be wrong, because the righteousness of God is always right!

Some might say that they are, therefore, trapped by God. And that is true, in a good sense (Psalm 139:1-12). We are as trapped as a child in a perfect, loving and creative home; as trapped as a wife in the perfect marriage. Such a relationship makes us feel guilty when we sin and urges us to repent and cry out for mercy. But those who are living under His future judgement, will keep on resisting His will: the more they struggle to escape Him, the more they prove the righteousness of His decision by their refusal to repent. However, the most wonderful thing is that God is willing to offer mercy to sinners, even though they do not deserve it: that is what the gospel is all about - telling the wicked that God will forgive all who repent. Those who respond embrace God's merciful and gracious love.

Prayer:  Almighty God. Thank You for Your holiness and righteousness. I am sorry for the times when I have questioned Your wisdom, struggled against Your love or ignored my need for mercy. I know that You are always right. I believe that You make everything work together for Your glory and the blessing of those who respond to Your call. Help me to trust You today, amid the puzzling circumstances. May I be more sensitive to the guilt of my sin, more eager to cry out for mercy, more willing to accept what I cannot understand from You, and more confident that the future is safe in Your love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.