“Note then the kindness and severity of God.” – Romans 11:22
Scripture reading: Romans 11:13-34
Last week we talked for many days about God’s kindness – his love, grace, mercy and everything about Him that makes Him wonderfully perfect. Yet, this week we’ve been studying God’s severity. What is severity? Maybe you can hear that the word “scissors” is close to severity. This may help you remember that severity is God “cutting off” His kindness from those who spurn it. Instead, they experience His wrath.
Many people struggle with thinking of God as good and severe at the same time. I would challenge you to humbly allow God’s word to form your understanding of God’s character. Avoid allowing pagan ideas from movies or your own feelings to form your knowledge of God. In today’s reading, Paul talked about God not sparing natural branches (this referred to the Jews) whom He saved many times in the Old Testament. They rejected His goodness to them, so God cut them off. Now Paul is telling us that all who don’t respond to God’s goodness will also be cut off. God is good to all people because He controls all that happens in this world: sunshine, food, sleep, health, every pleasure and possession. All of these are God’s good gifts to everyone. God pours out even more gifts to some people as He grafts them into His olive tree. He saves people and calls them His.
Respond to God’s goodness with repentance, faith, trust, gratitude and obedience. Those who don’t, can expect to be cut off from God’s goodness.
Suggestions for prayer
Praise God that He is patient with us. Ask God, “How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me?” Psalm 116:12
Katelyn Van Haren is a member of Redeemer United Reformed Church in Lacombe, Alberta. She received a liberal arts degree from Redeemer University in Ancaster, Ontario in honours accounting and is a CPA. Katelyn and her husband have five children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com