Do you like people who are chosen? Do you like those who receive special treatment? Or do you despise them? Do you wish they would experience a downfall or significant failure? What if you are one of the chosen, one of the special people? Would you want to fail?
We often don’t care for people who are singled out as being special or given special treatment. We may think they are thought too highly of. We want them to fall. Yet, if we are one of the special ones, we often think we deserve it. Isn’t it funny how that works out?
The Apostle Paul reminds us that the Israelites were chosen by God. They have a longstanding covenant with God. They received the law. They have been worshiping God for thousands of years. They have received promises from God. It was through the Israelites that Jesus came, fulfilling God’s plan. Paul tells us that Jesus is over all and forever blessed.
This is a reminder to us that we follow in the footsteps of many giants of faith who were Israelites. We remember Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, David, Solomon, Esther, Ruth, Rebekah, Rachel, and Rahab. Because of Jesus, we are adopted into the family, we are grafted into the vine. By God’s amazing plan, we have been given the gift of salvation. We are part of a long heritage of God working through people in this world, and he continues to work today.
I pray we all know we are part of a long heritage. I pray we know and claim God’s promises. I pray each one of us accept the gift of salvation and determine to work with God in this world. You have a long heritage. Claim God’s promises. Accept God’s gift. Accept salvation. Work with God.
Romans 9:4-5 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Christ, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Marty Pressey 