God has always had His people, and He has His people today. Romans 11:2b-4 “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.’” The first part of verse 2 makes the statement that God has not rejected His foreknown people, namely Israel. The second argument Paul makes for this point is to recall the story of Elijah when the rest of Israel had turned toward other gods and rejected the Lord God as theirs. Elijah was wondering how long God would put up with these people. God’s reply is testimony to His longsuffering, His grace, and His sovereign choice in election. He reminded Elijah that He always has His remnant, His people, and He says, “I have kept for myself” this remnant. This phrase as it is used in 1 Kings 19:18 literally means “I cause to remain.” God is not saying He has kept these people to be alive, but that He has literally caused them to believe or to have faith. In a sermon on these verses, John Piper said, “The link is not historical likelihood of how people act, but divine certitude. God did it then. God is doing it now.” (“For God’s Sake, Let Grace Be Grace,” John Piper, November 16, 2003, desiringgod.org) God has always had His people, and He has His people today. Nothing can change that. This is our blessed assurance. Study/Meditation: What does it mean today to be a part of God’s “remnant”? What is our role as this remnant? *Father, You are sovereign and just and merciful. Thank You for reserving for us, Your children, eternal life in heaven with You. Amen.
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 13:31:07 +0000
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