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? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. Rom. 11:2-6
Dear heavenly Father, at least seventeen times a day I need to be reminded of how I got into your story of redemption and how I stay there—only and fully by grace.
Occasionally I’m like Elijah, assuming I’m special because I’m one of the few who really “gets” the gospel—no longer bowing the knee to performance-based spirituality, moralism, or legalism. At other times I know myself to be an idolater—not worshiping Baal, but worshiping almost anything or everything else—and wondering how I could possibly be yours.
Then, like a rebuke or a kiss from heaven (depending on my disposition), I hear the Holy Spirit speak these words to my heart: “I have kept for myself a people for myself.” As in the days before Elijah, of Elijah, and long after Elijah, you are keeping and are preserving a much-loved people for yourself.
Many of them have Israeli passports, but most don’t. In fact, every race, tribe, language and people group will be a part of your eternal family—so great your plan of redemption (Rev. 7). My only claim to being your son is that you’ve hidden my life in the Son—Jesus (Col. 1:1-5).
Father, because of past grace, present grace, and future grace, I want to live with bowed knees and palms upward, towards you. I will seek to worship other things less by loving Jesus more. Because salvation is free, I want to freely serve you and love my neighbors. So very Amen I pray in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.
