Revcort's Ramblings

Scripture Focus

“What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! For he says to Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.’ So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” — Romans 9:14–16 (ESV)

Devotional Thought

Few passages stir the mind and humble the heart like Romans 9. Here, Paul pulls back the curtain on the mystery of God’s sovereignty — His absolute freedom to extend mercy as He wills. At first, this may feel unsettling. We naturally want to understand why God saves some and not others. But Paul’s answer reminds us that salvation is not about fairness — it’s about grace.

If God gave each of us what we deserved, none would be saved. All have sinned; all have fallen short. Mercy, by definition, is undeserved. And yet, God chooses to pour out His compassion, not because of human will or effort, but because of His own gracious purpose. “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” Those words remind us that salvation begins and ends with God’s mercy, not our merit.

At the same time, Scripture clearly calls us to repent, to believe, and to follow Christ. Human responsibility and divine sovereignty are not enemies—they are two sides of the same truth. We respond to God’s call because His mercy first awakens our hearts to do so. Our faith itself is evidence of His grace at work within us.

Rather than arguing over what we cannot fully comprehend, Paul invites us to worship. The right response to God’s sovereign mercy is not debate, but gratitude. We bow before the mystery and say, “Lord, thank You that You had mercy on me.”

Reflection Questions

1. How does God’s mercy challenge your ideas about fairness or human effort?

2. In what ways does understanding God’s sovereignty increase your gratitude rather than your confusion?

3. How can you live today with greater humility and thankfulness for His undeserved mercy?

Closing Prayer Merciful Father, I don’t fully understand the depth of Your sovereignty, but I thank You for Your mercy that reached me when I was far from You. Teach me to trust Your wisdom even when I can’t see the full picture. Keep me humble, grateful, and surrendered to Your will. May my life reflect Your compassion and grace toward others. In Jesus’ name, amen.