Prepared in Advance

Scripture:

Romans 9:20-24

Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. And we are among those whom he selected, both from the Jews and from the Gentiles.

Observation:

Theologically, I'm probably not qualified to interpret this verse, but I like it! I have to admit, when I first read this verse, I thought of God as being kind of cruel. Verse 22 tells us that some people are destined for destruction(headed for hell), and they don't even have the right to complain or blame God about it. Those people are compared to jars of clay who never complain about their purpose. Then the Apostle Paul explains why God does this, v.23 He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. 

Romans 9:14-16

Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not! for God said to Moses,

     "I will show mercy to anyone I choose.

          and I will show compassion to anyone

              I choose." 

Application:

There is only one response that I can have to a scripture like this: THANK YOU JESUS!! I can't describe how thankful I am for the grace of God. I was on my way to eternity in hell, lost in my sin, and God decided that he wanted to save me! I can't believe it! Why would he do this? I was an enemy of God, I called myself a Christian but lived like the devil, I did horrible things everyday of my life, and the Lord came to me and showed me who he was. The Apostle Paul is telling me that I was prepared in advance for glory. This is awesome!

Prayer: 

Dear Lord, I don't have the words. I don't know what to say. How can I thank you? All I know is that I love Jesus, because he first loved me! Help me to share this amazing love with other people you have destined for glory. Help me to live a life of repentance because of the great things you have done for me. In Jesus name, Amen!