Responding to God's Revelation of Himself - Psalms 77-78 and Romans 10
The psalmist, Asaph, wrote these two psalms. He questioned why God was punishing His people, Israel. Then, he went on to answer his own question by recounting how God had led His people so wonderfully. He had protected them and provided for them, but they had not responded to Him in faith. In fact, their hearts were often hard and unrepentant. Therefore, God had to punish their sin and lack of trust in Him. This is a sad state of affairs, because God had done so much to show Israel Himself and His ways, but they chose to go their own way. Israel exhibited pride and independence, instead of faith. We often do the same thing.
Romans 10 tells us that Israel persisted in this rebellion against God. Instead of trusting God by faith, they tried to establish a righteousness by works of the law. This was never God's plan. The law was to show sin and the need to be saved from sin. The law was to lead them to faith. If Israel had responded to God's revelation by faith in Him, they would have trusted Christ when He came. They did not, but some of the Gentiles did respond in faith. Therefore, God cut off the unbelieving Jews and He accepted the faithful Gentiles. It was all really simple, in reality. Whoever confesses Jesus is Lord and believes God raised Him from the dead will be saved. Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved, Jew or Gentile. The key is our response to His revelation of Himself. He is looking for a response of faith. I wonder what He sees in our hearts today, faith or pride?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 79-80 and Romans 11:1-18.
Romans 10 tells us that Israel persisted in this rebellion against God. Instead of trusting God by faith, they tried to establish a righteousness by works of the law. This was never God's plan. The law was to show sin and the need to be saved from sin. The law was to lead them to faith. If Israel had responded to God's revelation by faith in Him, they would have trusted Christ when He came. They did not, but some of the Gentiles did respond in faith. Therefore, God cut off the unbelieving Jews and He accepted the faithful Gentiles. It was all really simple, in reality. Whoever confesses Jesus is Lord and believes God raised Him from the dead will be saved. Whoever calls on the Lord will be saved, Jew or Gentile. The key is our response to His revelation of Himself. He is looking for a response of faith. I wonder what He sees in our hearts today, faith or pride?
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 79-80 and Romans 11:1-18.