Worship Him

Romans 11

We cannot explain all the purposes and plans of God, but we can still worship and praise Him for who He is, the promises fulfilled, and the promises yet to be fulfilled.

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor. 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:33–36 (ESV)

The end result of all Bible study is worship, and the end result of all worship is service to the God we love.

According to Dr. Tony Evans, the word glory, in terms of giving God Glory, comes from a word meaning “weighty” or “heavy.” Those who grew up in the 1960s may remember that back then many dudes would say, “That dude is heavy.” The expression meant that a person was deep; there was a lot to him. God is the weightiest, heaviest, deepest being in the universe. His glory is unmatched: no one can even outline his actions; no one can get inside his head to know what he’s thinking; no one can offer something to God that puts him in their debt. All of life, history, and creation exist for the supreme purpose of recognizing the greatness of the glory of God.

“I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. 7 What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” 9 And David says, “Let their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and retribution for them; 10 let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see, and bend their backs forever.” Romans 11:1–10 (ESV)

Here, in Roman 11, like in chapter 9, Paul asked what many of his Jewish readers were asking: Has God rejected his own people? Certainly not, said Paul. He offered as proof himself along with many other Jews of his day who had accepted Christ.

Even in one of the worst times of Israel’s history, when Elijah thought all was hopeless, many Israelites had remained faithful. A few Jews had found salvation. Unfortunately, however, most remained blinded by legalism. Old Testament prophecy spoke often on the “remnant” of faithful Israelites.

The nation of Israel was always a mixed group, a combination of faithful and faithless people. And while those who remained faithful, like Elijah, often felt completely alone, God reminds the remnant that they are not. For Elijah, God preserved around seven thousand; for Paul, there is also … a remnant chosen by grace; and for us, too, God keeps a remnant of faithful believers to remind us that we are never alone.

Warren Wiersbe says, “God has always had a believing remnant in Israel, no matter how dark the day. When you become discouraged about the future of the church and feel that you may be the only faithful Christian left, read 1 Kings 19 and focus on God’s greatness.”

The theology of Romans 9–11 magnifies God’s grace and extols His sovereignty. Never lose the wonder of your salvation or of the greatness of God. No matter how deep the valley or difficult the battle, a vision of God’s greatness puts joy in your heart and strength in your soul. God knows what He is doing even if you do not understand it fully.

Are you trusting fully in the sovereignty of Jesus Christ? Do you believe He has your best interest at heart? Are you focusing on His greatness, or are you looking at your own strengths and abilities?
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Today, know that you can always trust in the promises of God and that Jesus Christ alone fulfilled over 300 prophecies in His 33 years on earth. He is continuing everyday and even more so in the days ahead as He holds all authority of this day and all future days. Give Him Glory!!!

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