Christ my sure and steady anchor in the winds of the storm.
” I have likened myself to a rock – in fact the hymn ”Rock of ages” confirms that. But a rock alone won’t hold you – so you need an anchor. My son Jesus – came and died on a cruel cross so that He could become the anchor who would hold you fast to Me when the storms of life strike you. Perhaps the greatest storm is unbelief, Unbelief in the face of adversity on the one hand and prosperity on the other. So make sure that you are in Jesus so that you may be securely anchored to Me, despite your circumstances and despite whatever emotions you may be feeling.”
Today we come to the final conclusion to the first 11 chapters of Romans. Paul announced at the beginning of the letter that he as going to speak about the most important subject, which he calls “the gospel”. For the next 11 chapters he has carefully unpacked exactly what he meant by that term . As he comes to the conclusion he is almost carried away by the wonder and mystery of this great God we serve and pours out a beautiful poem of praise which has been called a doxology. This word is made up from “doxa” – glory and “logia” – the word or expression.
Please read Romans 11:33 – 36. This passage is maybe easier to understand than it is to fully comprehend, so I suggest that you read it through carefully a few times, asking God to give you full comprehension. The first two verses focus on God’s wisdom, knowledge, judgment (or discernment) and His mind, which all describe how amazing His plans and purposes are that He has and continues to work out. He then asks the question God asked Job “who has known the mind of the Lord or who has been His Counselor”.
Now I find myself from time to time casually saying “God’s ways are far higher than my ways”. When I don’t understand how things are working out in my life or anywhere else actually. But I need to stop and really think what this means. What have I created? What plans do I have, for myself or for anyone else for that matter? Compare this to the created world around me. Comparing an ant to an elephant doesn’t come near it. In Ephesians Paul speaks of a God who is able to do immeasurably more than what ask or imagine. I fear our small finite minds have great difficulty in grasping the huge difference.
Who are we then that we should question God’s judgements, His way of doing things? Ever done that? I’m afraid I have often done that. I am sure there is nothing wrong with telling the Lord you don’t understand something, but that is different to questioning Him. Questioning His motives or His ability to bring the conclusion you would like about.
Vs 35 God owes us nothing. Everything we receive from Him is a product of His mercy and grace. In fact the healthiest way of seeing things is by continually reflecting on the fact that our whole life and everything we have and everything that we experience is a gift from Him and thanking him for it.
Then, finally vs 36 reminds us of this most important fact that wraps everything up and that is God’s providence. Just read that carefully: from Him, everything we have and all that happens to us and to the whole world proceed from Him. How does everything work out? Not detailed here but through the actions of Jesus, His Son and the Holy Spirit. They are ultimately working out the plans God has for the whole universe. Not just some things but all things.
Do we have no say? Yes God gives us the freedom to continually make choices, but ultimately He meshes all things so that His plans will be accomplished. We still have responsibilities but He is backing us up all the time.
No wonder Paul calls out in the end to Him be glory forever!
Friends, what a mighty and amazing God we serve! We need passages like this to remind us, in the midst of a fallen and broken world of who is really in ultimate control, so that we can put our trust fully in Him and worship him with all our hearts. Next week we will start seeing how to do just that.