Mercy on those who deserve no mercy.

Romans 9:29 And just as Isaiah foretold, “Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left to us a posterity, we would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.” Again, Paul turned to the words of the prophet Isaiah to glorify God’s mercy poured out upon vessels who should have been destroyed by God’s wrath and power. The title, Lord of Sabaoth, referred to the armies of God. He acknowledged that the Lord’s armies were the invading armies of the Babylonians. Isaiah 13:4 A sound of tumult on the mountains, like that of many people! A sound of the uproar of kingdoms, of nations gathered together! The LORD of hosts is mustering the army for battle.” Isaiah 37:32 “For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Paul’s and Isaiah’s point was that Israel, the descendants of Abraham, should have been completely wiped out like Sodom and Gomorrah due to their moral and spiritual corruption. The only reason they were saved was because God desired to show His mercy upon people, both Jew and Gentile, who deserved His wrath. This is also true of us all. We all deserve the wrath of God for our sins, idolatries, adulteries, and corruption. The Lord’s armies should sweep across the entire earth and reduce it to ashes, and we are told by the apostle Peter, that this is going to occur at the return of Christ. However, this passage fills us with hope. God has set His love upon a remnant on the earth, and nothing can separate them from His love. He is for them, and no one can be against them. Are you numbered in that remnant? You are if the life and love of Jesus dwells in you and is flowing through your life to those around you. Living to love with Jesus marks you as one of God’s posterity. Rejoice and revel in His love. If God puts someone in your path who you think deserves the wrath of God, remember God’s love and mercy shown to you. He was merciful to you when you deserved no mercy. They may be one of God’s remnant whom He wants to save as you express the love and mercy of God to them. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com