Pray for the remnant according to God’s gracious choice.

Romans 11:5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. Paul’s point in this verse explains the answer to the question he posed in vs. 1. “God has not rejected His people, has He?” Paul’s answer: “God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.” The explanation was that God’s people, the 7000 men that He kept for Himself in Elijah’s day, weren’t His because they were descendants of Abraham, but were His because He chose them from before the foundation of the world. They were a remnant according to God’s gracious choice. He didn’t have to set them apart and keep them for Himself. He did it because it pleased Him. He was for them. They were foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified before time began as Paul wrote in Rom. 8:29-30. We learn in this verse that just as there was a remnant in national Israel in Elijah’s day, there was a remnant in Paul’s day—God had chosen to save for Himself a remnant from national Israel even though He also had extended His grace to a “nation without understanding” and to manifest Himself to people who did not seek Him or did not ask for Him. Do you think there has also come to be at the present time a remnant in national Israel to whom God will be gracious because of His choice? I think so. This should give us a heart for national Israel, not because they are national Israel, but because we have brothers and sisters in Christ who as yet have not come to believe in Him. Jesus loves them, and we live to love with Jesus by praying for them during these days of great anguish, fear, and suffering. As we watch the tragic current events in Israel unfold, let’s pray that God will draw His remnant to Himself, both Jews and Muslims. “Father, in heaven, maker and Lord of heaven and earth, we plead with You to use these circumstances to draw all of those whom You have foreknown in Christ to Him. Give believers in Israel and Gaza boldness and power as they love and witness. Use the gospel-bearing relief ministries to open their eyes to the light and the truth that Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Anoint those who love and witness in Your name. Amen.” Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com