~ What if God, wanting to show His
wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels
of wrath...? -Romans 9:22
The
next two "God is able" passages emphasize God's sovereign rights.
While He certainly cares about us more than we can ever imagine, He is not a
vending machine! We don't simply push a
few buttons and wait for our candy to come out.
He is responsive to our needs, but we do not control Him. Here in this
verse, God proves that He is able ("His power" means His ability) by
showing His long-suffering patience.
The
context is specifically focused on God's favored nation, Israel. God had made
many promises to that nation in Old Testament times; yet in New Testament times
and the many years since, it could seem as if God has left them behind. Back
then the Roman empire overran Palestine, and many other nations have abused the
nation of Israel since those days. Is God incapable of keeping His promises?
No, all
the previous passages on this subject have already convinced us that He is
able. But, says this verse, what if God chooses for a time to let people go
their own way? Although He would prefer
to guide them, He is willing to display His long-tempered patience while
"vessels of wrath"—these disobedient people—ignore Him.
That
kind of patience looks like indifference, but God is certainly attentive.
Actions always have consequences, and even for those who ignore God a day of
evaluation will come. He will not say, "Wonderful, you lived however you
wanted!" No, His evaluation will include judgment, which of course is the
only fair response to selfish choices, whether by individuals or nations.
The
verse above continues by saying that the "vessels of wrath" are prepared
for destruction. It does not say that God has prepared them for destruction.
Instead, He merely allows them to choose their own way. It adds to God's honor that He is not
threatened by their willfulness. He
simply waits until the time is right.
To
apply this principle ourselves, are we willing to trust God? Perhaps we can see
a festering injustice or a developing disaster. We might call to others about
our concern, yet only God will finally set it right. And sometimes the God who
is able simply chooses to wait.
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