Begin with two minutes of silence and stillness before God.
In Chapter 11, Paul gives us a depiction of an olive tree. The natural branches represent the chosen nation of Israel. The wild olive branches grafted into this tree represent the Gentiles. Paul explains God’s mercy through this visual. This olive tree stems from a holy root, thereby making the branches holy. It is important to remember that the branches are insignificant without the nourishment provided by the holy root. It is through God’s rich mercies that we have access to His holiness and righteousness.
I am the oldest of three boys. My younger brothers were friends with a kid named Tony, who grew up in a Buddhist home. Through an invitation, he began coming to church and became part of our lives. It was not unusual to come home and see little Tony sitting on your couch, eating your food. It was not uncommon to wake up in the morning and go to the bathroom only to find the door locked because Tony was in there. It was not uncommon across several families in the Dixie community to find Tony as a guest at that home. I would venture to say he was more beloved in my own home than I was. Tony would later accept Christ and have a huge impact on his circle of friends, youth in the church, and, generally, everyone he now encounters on a daily basis. He is a branch grafted into the family. I am grateful for his testimony, my own, and many others, and I am thankful for God’s mercy and grace.
Verse 35-36 says, “Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.” As I experience gratitude for the stories of my brothers and sisters in Christ as well as my own, it is not merely my gratitude for what He has done that motivates my obedience. I find that my gratitude for what is to be done is just as important, if not more so. We can ask ourselves the question, “God has done so much in your life, but what have I done lately to repay Him?” We couldn’t possibly repay Him, because He already owns all we have to give Him. Grace is not a business transaction. It is given freely to us. GRATITUDE looks back to the grace that has been given to us, while FAITH looks forward to the grace promised in the future. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for.” Our obedience to Him comes from gratitude for what He has done and from trusting God for more grace. Lord knows we need it.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.