◄ What Does Romans 11:2 Mean? ►

Down through the generations, there has always been a faithful remnant of people who believe God, who trust in His promises, and who know that their Redeemer lives. But many reject the Lord, and when Paul wrote this verse, he knew that the cries of "crucify Him," as the nation of Israel rejected their Saviour, were still fresh in people's minds.

And so Paul asks the question: "Did God reject His people?" Did the Israelites do enough to make God wash His hands of them? Paul answers his own question: "Certainly not......God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew." And to underline the point that God has not rejected His people, Israel, Paul makes the point that he himself is an Israelite: "A descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin." Paul is reminding us that God always keeps a remnant of faithful people that He will work through and use to His glory. 

Even when the mighty prophet Elijah pleaded with the Lord against Israel, thinking he was the only faithful one left, God's reply reminded him that He is unfolding His plan, in His way, and to His glory: "I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal."  

When God made His plans and purposes before the foundation of the world, they were not dependent on the faithfulness of a particular nation, a particular person, or group of people, but on the faithfulness of God Himself. And His plan does not include rejecting His people, Israel. And nothing God plans and purposes can be stopped, hindered, or in any way changed, no plans of His can be thwarted: "The plan of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation."

Let us draw comfort from this verse - that the same God Who has not rejected His people (Israel) Whom He foreknew, will not reject you or me. As members of the Body of Christ, we now belong to Christ and nothing can ever take us out of His hand. Even when we are faithless, He will remain faithful. His plans will stand firm, and we will never be rejected, but accepted in the Beloved, for eternity.

Loving Father, I praise You that You have shown Yourself faithful to Your people, throughout all generations. Help me to be strong in the Lord and to rely on You in all the problems of life that I may face. I know that You are with me wherever I go. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.