“But before the two sons were born, God told Rebecca, “The older son will serve the younger.” This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this before they were born so that the boy he wanted would be chosen because of God’s own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything the boys did.”

“I believe the doctrine of election, because I am quite sure that if God had not chosen me I should never have chosen him; and I am sure he chose me before I was born, or else he never would have chosen me afterwards; and he must have elected me for reasons unknown to me, for I never could find any reason in myself why” ~Charles Spurgeon.

According to Strong’s Concordance, one of several meanings or values of the name/title of Israel is, ‘governed by God.’ We see the burgeoning beginnings of what being governed by Him, selected in Him, what His plans and timing might appear as, here in the 9th chapter of the Book of Romans. We hear of Isaac here, again. This child promised Father Abraham, the one in whom the covenant is forever sealed. We learn that he marries Rebekah and from their union, Jacob and Esau are born. Paul uses these two sons to bear out his teaching—confirming for us, God’s freedom of selection. Paul also uses God’s Words to Moses as a statement of surety regarding His fairness in the selection of whom it is He so chooses to enter into a relationship with—reveal the Truth of Himself to…

But what does being selected by God mean? What does this term ‘election’ or being ‘God’s elect’ mean for us today? I’ve heard it defined as, and have come to understand it for myself, as best as my finite mind will allow, this way: Put simply, ‘being one of the elect is the result of an act of God whereby in eternity past He chose those who will be saved.’ Our election is unconditional, an act of God’s pure mercy—meaning there isn’t one thing we can do, no amount of good works we can perform nor foreseen faith we’ll possess that can ever earn election for us. Our election depends on God’s choosing us in Himself.  That said, Paul makes clear to us however, that even though our election is given us freely, that does not free us of our responsibility to obey God. No license to presume upon His mercy and grace. We should never treat our election casually. More, neither should those who have yet to be called by Him say, as if they know God’s mind, His plans for their life, “Well, I don’t believe that I am one of these, God’s elect, so I don’t have to obey His commands! ” One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will? “But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” –Romans 9:19-20.

Saved and unsaved alike have been crafted for His use from the same fallen lump of clay. Election and responsibility exist hand-in-hand in the Word of God. God offers this mercy to everyone; therefore none are free from the knowledge of this mercy, nor the consequence of willfully ignoring it. “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” –Revelation 22:17. And again, “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” –Acts 17:30. That’s pretty plain. He also makes this plain for us in this 9th chapter of Romans “So then, everything depends, not on what we humans want or do, but only on God’s mercy” –9:16.

In fact, the entirety of Romans chapter 9 steadily breaks down what being governed by God means to God—and for us. In this chapter, we witness Paul pivot, breaking away from the time he has spent methodically convincing us, in the previous 8 chapters, of ‘God’s glorious provision in Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.’  Here in this 9th chapter, and continuing on through chapter 11, Paul begins both to pose and answer a variety of questions concerning Israel’s relationship with God and what that means for all believers—Jew and gentile alike. He reminds us that Abraham had many children. Being Abraham’s descendant doesn’t mean you are a child of the covenant—one of those God recognizes as His own. (Has Israel missed Jesus altogether? What does God have to say about Israel and His plan for them? And, finally, what does this say to you and me today about our hope and standing in Christ?) Little by little in this chapter, Paul chips away at any doubts we may hold as to the legitimacy and Sovereignty of God’s ‘sure election’ concerning both Israel and us—His elect.

So now, using the foundation of Romans 9 as our springboard, to say nothing of the various additional scriptures which confirm God’s Sovereign election; John 6:44 or John 1:12-13. Eph. 1:4-5 or 2 Thess. 2:13.  And then there is 2 Timothy 1:9; among numerous others, I could choose to spend the remainder of our time together today attempting to delve into the heady, incomprehensible depths of why it is we either have been or soon will be, selected to receive salvation through God’s sovereign choosing of us. A question which, regardless of which way we might twist or turn it, will come away with no greater depth of understanding than that which God has already provided us in His Word, and through the revelation of His Holy Spirit testifying within us. Unless that is, He so chooses to share His heart with us personally. We must never presume to think we know with certainty, all that God might reveal to us. In addition, I could have also sorted through each of the various scholars’ inputs and explanations in an attempt to eke out some hidden bit of knowledge I have failed to offer you. However, truth be told, I would be attempting to swim in waters that, I humbly confess, are far deeper than my shallow understanding of this mystery of God’s decision to reveal Himself to us would allow me to safely venture into.

Instead, if you’ll indulge me, I will share with you how God, once again, pierced my heart that He might re-mind me of just how personal—how individual and intimate, His selection of us is. How precise His timing…

Allow me to preface what I am about to share in the hope that I might encourage you, be an answer to your questioning, and perhaps, confirm God’s voice speaking to you in a new and unique way. I am not a person who believes that there is some hidden meaning—some sign or deep divine mystery in every blowing of the wind. I consider myself to be a relatively grounded believer. Daily, after I have prayed that I don’t miss anything God has for me that day, I go about my day poised, expectant, wholly trusting God to open my eyes and ears to what it is He’ll have me to see and hear. That said, however, I have also been walking with God long enough to know that He is in fact, enmeshed, inseparably intertwined in everything around me. I am not that one who is so firmly planted in this world that I am not able, when He calls, to leave it behind and follow him up into the high places.

As Elizabeth Barrett Browning so aptly wrote: Earth’s crammed with beauty, and every common bush afire with God. But only he who sees takes off his shoes…

I began noticing the numbers 9:11 on the clock with steady regularity. After several months of this, I knew it was not by chance—the regularity of seeing these particular numbers, again and again, meant something. And since I didn’t want to miss out on whatever that something may be, I began to research. I was led to an article on biblical numbers and it was there, months and months after the first sighting of these numbers, that the reason behind their being repeatedly shown to me was finally realized. They were a confirmation. A road map that would eventually lead me to page 911 in the bible. Once there, I read the closing verses of Romans 9 which then drew me instantly to its beginning titled; “God’s Selection of Israel”. The very chapter in which Paul teaches us about election. My heart soon recognized God had, once again, just passed by me. Confirming His great love and divine providence over my life. This was revealed to me at an hour when I was about to walk out of a time of great testing that has lasted well over a year and a half. I could feel the Lord assuring me that just as He had chosen Israel, and has not failed to keep His promise to them—so too it is with me. I too am one of the many children promised Father Abraham thousands of years ago! This was God, yet again, making His election of me so very personal. I have been awed by His most recent revelation since. In addition, within days of this revelation, I received the fulfillment of a promise I had been waiting well over a year and a half for. God’s timing is perfect beloved. Yet I was not shown these numbers, was not led to this chapter, this teaching for myself alone, no. I was led here for you too beloved. To encourage you and re-mind you that “Sometimes we have to let our dreams go in order to allow God to bring them back to us – in his way and his timing.” …

God is perfect in every way and, He will use whatsoever He chooses to communicate His love and plans for our lives—we need only be open to receiving them—however they may come.

Friend, in an age when Christianity is under attack and faith is seen as something superstitious and foolish—something needed only by the weak and desperate; seek God anyway. Put Him first in your life. Invite Him in—make room for the possibility that He really does exist, does love you and wants to spend time with you. Choose to believe He loves you and has a plan for your life, despite what the naysayers might say. And please, don’t turn away from a relationship with God because religion has failed you. God is not a religion; He is a person who loves you. Here is the assurance He gives you dear friend, if you’ll but ask Him into your life and trust Him to do what you’ve been unable to: “For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe” –1 Corinthians 1:27. And again Jesus says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” –Revelation 3:20.

And for you, my fellow believers, don’t ignore what very well may be the voice of God calling you to trust Him more completely, follow His leading of you more closely, all because you casually dismiss its un-usual tone as a mere ‘coincidence’. There is no such thing for you and I. God does not randomly waste His time. If it’s showing up in your life repeatedly my brothers’ and sisters, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you whatever the meaning behind ‘it’ is. He is faithful and true and will always confirm His Word. “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” –Isaiah 30:21.