God reserves His remnant. The interactions of each individual’s free response to God create such a complex picture that we draw immediate conclusions at our peril! Paul calls us to consider the kindness of our gracious God as well as the sternness of our Holy God. Being ‘saved by grace’ mustn’t lead to arrogant self-confidence but a greater awe for Him. God’s mercy and grace are at work, not just in your life and mine, but across the world, even when we can’t see much evidence of where it is leading or why.
Job is a clear example of someone ‘in the dark’ as to why God is allowing bad things to happen to him. He isn’t afraid to tell God exactly how fed up and hopeless he feels about it.
It took two years for what Joseph said to Pharaoh’s cupbearer to be remembered, while Joseph continued in jail. Yet this was how God was saving Jacob and his family as ‘His remnant’.
How patient are we when we feel in the dark? Do we share our feelings with our heavenly Father? How about re-reading Romans 11:33-36?
(member of the prayer ministry team)