We can trust God’s promises and faithfulness.

Romans 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; Apparently Paul knew some of his readers would conclude that the word of God to the Jews had failed if Paul’s brethren were separated from God. This reminds us of what Paul wrote in 3:1-4. “Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? Great in every respect. First of all, that they were entrusted with the oracles of God. What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? May it never be!” No, God’s word never fails, it endures forever, wrote Peter in 1 Pet. 2:5. And God’s love never fails as Paul wrote in 1 Cor. 13:8. How is it that the word of God hasn’t failed? It’s because God’s promise of salvation was broader than one nation, the nation of Israel. I’m sure this statement was puzzling to his readers then and it is to some today. The Israel of God isn’t limited to the literal offspring of Israel. God’s original plan was that there would be others who struggled with God and prevailed other than Jacob. Remember his wrestling match with the angel of the Lord when he received the name “Israel”? By the revelation of the Holy Spirit, Paul saw that God chose to wrestle with others throughout history who would prevail with Him by the same grace given to Jacob. Not everyone He chose to wrestle with were descendants of Abraham. Paul obviously understood that even though his beloved brethren were unbelieving and caused him much sorrow and grief, God’s faithfulness to His Word had not failed to accomplish what it was sent for, namely, the salvation of all whom He foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified. These are the true Israel that God had in mind when He chose Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel) to be heirs of the promise. As we live to love with Jesus, we can comfort ourselves as Paul did. God’s faithfulness and word have not and will not fail. His hand is not so short that He cannot save all whom He has seen in Israel, both Jews and Gentiles. As we love in His name, we can be confident that God will be faithful. We can trust Him. We can trust His wisdom, will, power, and love. That’s the encouragement we can draw from Paul revealed in Rom. 9:6. We can rest in God’s purpose, word, and faithfulness as we love with Him everyone He puts in our paths. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com