Evening Scripture

Romans, Chapter 11

I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah — how he appealed to God against Israel: “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.

What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written:

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.” 

And David says:

“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.” 

Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!

I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.

If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written:

“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
And this is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.” 

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”
For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Evening Reflection

Life on this earth is not always easy, is it? Often, quite the opposite. This life brings a lot of different seasons, and sometimes it seems, God’s plan is hidden. Yes, trust can prove difficult at times. We suffer loss of loved ones. Broken relationships. Unexpected and unwanted changes. And God is silent.

The thing is, Scripture seems to not only acknowledge this tension in our lives, but reinforces it. From Abraham to Joseph to David to Jeremiah to the Apostles to Paul – all suffered. From where we sit, we can see God’s plan, but how could they?

Then there’s Israel. The ups and downs of Israel throughout their history are hard even for us now to understand. But perhaps that is the point Paul was making in Romans 11 – there is an end. God has a plan. We just have to trust that He knows what’s best and to work all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Even when circumstances feel painful, or confusing, or remain unresolved – we must trust in Him and His plan. We must have faith in His unchanging character, faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness.

Faith and fear cannot co-exist. They are opposing forces, one battling the other. Fear limits; faith liberates. Fear weakens; faith strengthens. Fear paralyzes; faith inspires. Max Lucado once wrote: “Feed your fears and your faith will starve. But feed your faith and your fear will starve.” 

The thing is, worry is nothing more than an emotional reaction. Fear of an outcome. Faith is a choice – and we can make that choice to trust in God with everything we’ve got. Circumstances change, but God does not, even when life seems challenging. Our trust is not built on understanding or explanations, but on surrendering our hearts and lives to Him, even when He seems silent – as He had been with Israel lo these many years.

When your circumstances or the future seems unclear, cling to what is very clear: God’s mercy and grace and love and faithfulness, as demonstrated at the cross. It doesn’t mean the pain will go away, but we choose to know that God is still good and wise, even in our darkness. And he has not left your side.

Faith isn’t about asking God to stop the storm, it is about trusting God to help you through it.

Evening Prayer

Father,

Thank you for always being there for me, even when I don’t see you or hear you. You know what I’m going through and I thank you for letting your Holy Spirit give me strength to get me through this crisis. I don’t know how this will end – but that doesn’t matter because you are in control. Please remind me that you are right here with me.

Amen.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.

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Click to Listen to Signs of Life: UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was—and is—an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.

UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org

Evening Scripture
Romans, Chapter 11
I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don&rsquo;t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah &mdash; how he appealed to God against Israel: &ldquo;Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me&rdquo;? And what was God&rsquo;s answer to him? &ldquo;I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.&rdquo; So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, as it is written:
&ldquo;God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.&rdquo;&nbsp;
And David says:
&ldquo;May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the part of the dough offered as first fruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, &ldquo;Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.&rdquo; Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way&nbsp;all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
&ldquo;The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is&nbsp;my covenant with them when I take away their sins.&rdquo;&nbsp;
As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, for God&rsquo;s gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now&nbsp;receive mercy as a result of God&rsquo;s mercy to you. For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and&nbsp;knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! &ldquo;Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?&rdquo; &ldquo;Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?&rdquo; For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Evening Reflection
Life on this earth is not always easy, is it? Often, quite the opposite. This life brings a lot of different seasons, and sometimes it seems, God&rsquo;s plan is hidden. Yes, trust can prove difficult at times. We suffer loss of loved ones. Broken relationships. Unexpected and unwanted changes. And God is silent.
The thing is, Scripture seems to not only acknowledge this tension in our lives, but reinforces it. From Abraham to Joseph to David to Jeremiah to the Apostles to Paul &ndash; all suffered. From where we sit, we can see God&rsquo;s plan, but how could they?
Then there&rsquo;s Israel. The ups and downs of Israel throughout their history are hard even for us now to understand. But perhaps that is the point Paul was making in <a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/11.html">Romans 11</a> &ndash; there is an end. God has a plan. We just have to trust that He knows what&rsquo;s best and to work all things out for the good of those who love Him (<a href="https://www.biblestudytools.com/romans/8-28.html">Romans 8:28</a>).
Even when circumstances feel painful, or confusing, or remain unresolved &ndash; we must trust in Him and His plan. We must have faith in His unchanging character, faithfulness, wisdom, and goodness.
Faith and fear cannot co-exist. They are opposing forces, one battling the other. Fear limits; faith liberates. Fear weakens; faith strengthens. Fear paralyzes; faith inspires. Max Lucado once wrote: &ldquo;Feed your fears and your faith will starve. But feed your faith and your fear will starve.&rdquo;&nbsp;
The thing is, worry is nothing more than an emotional reaction. Fear of an outcome. Faith is a choice &ndash; and we can make that choice to trust in God with everything we&rsquo;ve got. Circumstances change, but God does not, even when life seems challenging. Our trust is not built on understanding or explanations, but on surrendering our hearts and lives to Him, even when He seems silent &ndash; as He had been with Israel lo these many years.
When your circumstances or the future seems unclear, cling to what is very clear: God&rsquo;s mercy and grace and love and faithfulness, as demonstrated at the cross. It doesn&rsquo;t mean the pain will go away, but we choose to know that God is still good and wise, even in our darkness. And he has not left your side.
Faith isn&rsquo;t about asking God to stop the storm, it is about trusting God to help you through it.
Evening Prayer
Father,
Thank you for always being there for me, even when I don&rsquo;t see you or hear you. You know what I&rsquo;m going through and I thank you for letting your Holy Spirit give me strength to get me through this crisis. I don&rsquo;t know how this will end &ndash; but that doesn&rsquo;t matter because you are in control. Please remind me that you are right here with me.
Amen.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION&reg;. NIV&reg;. Copyright &copy; 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="https://www.biblica.com/">Biblica</a>. All rights reserved worldwide.
Want More?
Sign up for our free newsletter, The Good Word, for weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement delivered right to your inbox. Join our community today: <a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;
Click to Listen to Signs of Life: <a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>
Join us this Fall for Season One of "Signs of Life," an original podcast from UM News. The journey begins in Atlanta, hearing how a book from an icon of the Civil Rights movement is bringing relationship and understanding to two congregations seeking to bridge divides. Then to Belfast, learning about the Northern Ireland Peace Process and the Methodist connection that was&mdash;and is&mdash;an essential part of healing and peacemaking. Finally, at the Global Young Peoples Convocation in Dublin, explore the world of translation and interpretation through diversity, language and culture.
<a href="https://www.umnews.org/en/news/um-news-podcast-season-one">UM News Podcast Season One | UMNews.org</a>

Your Nightly Scripture — 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God’s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.

Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.

Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/ 

Your Nightly Scripture &mdash; 365-Day Bible Reading Plan for Peaceful Sleep is a calming, Scripture-centered devotional podcast designed to help you end each day with God&rsquo;s Word. Brought to you by BibleStudyTools.com, this 5-day-a-week Bible reading plan features carefully selected passages from across the Bible, paired with slow, reflective devotionals and gentle evening prayers.
Perfect for bedtime listening, each episode is read at a peaceful pace with natural pauses to create a quiet, meditative experience that helps you rest, reflect, and draw closer to God. From Psalms and Proverbs to the Gospels and beyond, this year-long journey includes special Easter and Christmas readings, guiding you through the story of Scripture with hope, peace, and spiritual renewal.
Want more prayers and practical spiritual tips each week? We're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/">https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/</a>&nbsp;

Your Nightly Scripture

Trusting God Even When I Don’t Understand His Plan (Romans 11)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/4bcc7553-bd5a-47b1-9eb5-b4f800faa318/transcript