Romans 11:7 (NLT) “7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.”
Only one greek lesson today: The NLT translates this word into “chosen.”
ekloge /ek·log·ay/ 1 the act of picking out, choosing. 1a of the act of God’s free will by which before the foundation of the world he decreed his blessings to certain persons. 1b the decree made from choice by which he determined to bless certain persons through Christ by grace alone. 2 a thing or person chosen. 2a of persons: God’s elect.
If I understand this verse, God has chosen those who have found Him and His favor. The inverse of that is that there are those whom God has not allowed to find him, regardless of their earnestness, diligence and passion. This is something I can’t wrap my head around, but I am grateful. I’m grateful that God, in His mercy, chose me to be one of those people who “gets” to find Him and His favor.
The more I have pondered this the more freeing I realize it is, once we really grasp the reality of it. I don’t get it. I HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS! Were it not for God choosing me, it wouldn’t even matter, because no matter how I searched, I could not find Him. Man, that rocks my world!
Papa, I am so thankful and grateful for your grace and love. Why you’ve chosen me to be one of your own I have no idea, because I certainly don’t deserve the grace and mercy you show me daily. Thank you. My prayer is that I never take advantage of your love, grace, and mercy and the fact that I have been chosen to find you. I pray that I never forget that I am only yours because You chose me. Bless your name.