Romans 9:1–5 (NRSV)
Read Romans 9:1–5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 9I am speaking the truth in Christ-I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit- Verse 2I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. Verse 3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. Verse 4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; Verse 5to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.
Devotion
There are some names that never leave our prayers. Loving people can be one of the greatest joys in life. It can also be one of the greatest heartbreaks. Paul writes with remarkable honesty. His heart aches for his own people because he longs for them to know the fullness of God’s love in Christ. He’s writing out of his deep love, perhaps in the same way someone’s name seems to find its way into every conversation you have with God.
Paul reminds us that loving deeply sometimes means hurting deeply. We often think a strong faith protects us from heartbreak, but Jesus never promised that. In fact, the closer our hearts grow to his, the more we begin to love what he loves…and grieve what he grieves. The people we carry in our hearts are already being carried in God’s, and in Christ Jesus no one has ever loved them more than God does.
Prayer
Compassionate God, when my heart aches for someone I love, remind me that your love for them is even greater than mine. Help me trust you with the people I place into your hands. Amen.
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