Text: Romans 9:1-32.
“Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and who He wills He hardens,” verse 18 [NKJV]. By God ‘hardening’ some one’s heart like He did to Pharaoh does not mean that God actively created some evil in Pharaoh’s heart, rather it means that God withdrew all divine influences that would ordinarily act as restraint to sin. This allowed Pharaoh’s heart to indulge in sin unabated [cf Rom. 1:24, 26, 28].
Then should you question God why He should blame any one concerning sin and unbelief yet He sovereignly determined that person’s destiny? [verse 20]. No! Paul uses analog of a potter. A piece of pottery cannot question the purposes of a potter. In the same way it would be arrogant and irrational for a man, creature, to question God’s [Creator] choice or acts regarding some sinners for salvation. God does everything as Creator for His own glory. Amen!
Meditate on verses 18-21. What is God teaching you in these verses?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, forgive me where I have questioned Your holy choices in my life. Amen.