Romans 9:1-18, God’s Election of Israel

Saturday, June 1, 2019
12:00 AM 11:59 PM 00:00 23:59

Google Calendar ICS

Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today

“This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as descendants.”

— Romans 9:8

CLICK HERE FOR FULL NL DAILY READING ON OREMUS BIBLE BROWSER

NL Daily Devotion for Saturday, June 1, 2019

by R. Fergus Moir, Clergy Stuff

Everyone seems a little fascinated with genealogy these days. I think we want to feel as though we’re connected somehow, that we’re a part of something bigger than ourselves.

I can tell you with certainty that I am not directly descended from Abraham. But I know that I am a part of the family of God. How is that possible if only the children of the promise are counted as descendants? How is it that I could grow up singing

Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham

I am one of them and so are you, so let’s all praise the Lord!

Paul spends much time writing about the election of Israel, but then goes on to talk about the adoption of the Gentiles—the non-Jews. We are, all of us, God’s children through adoption into the promise. We are all connected to something far bigger than ourselves, something incomprehensibly beautiful. And we don’t need to spit in a plastic tube to prove it. We need only accept the gift of inclusion.

Abba, Father, you extend the promise of your eternal love and salvation to all of us. Help me to extend that same love to others. Amen.

Featured