Bible.com.au: Reading Plan - God’s ways, our ways

Reflection:

Sometimes, the thing that is most surprising to us about God’s ways is that he actually hears us when we call out to him. Our friend Geoff said he was at death’s door at age 32. After a decade of travel and misusing drugs and other substances, he was in hospital. He said he’d lost all sense of hope and meaning. He’d tried everything except the right way. Then, he cried out to God at 2am. He just said, “God, help me!” At the time, he didn’t actually think that God was real. He simply cried out in an offhand way because he couldn’t think of anything else to do. And then, in that moment, he felt God’s presence. He knew God was real. He wasn’t expecting it, but God answered him! It was such a surprise! And he experienced deep hope. Later, Geoff prayed and went to church and read the Bible and gave his life to Jesus. Since then, it hasn’t always been easy. But Geoff loves the truth of Romans 10:13, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It’s true, he says! Even when we don’t expect an answer, we can call out to God, and he hears us!

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that I can call out to you today, even in my weakness, or when my voice feels small. Thank you that because of Jesus, you hear me and answer.

Romans 10:1-21

1Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.”

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;

I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

20And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands

to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

God’s ways, our ways

Day 10 of 14

NIV

Romans 10:12-13

Days

Romans 10:1-21