Romans: A 21-Day Musical DevotionalMuestra

What Shall We Say, Pt. 3

Paul now anticipates two possible questions that people may have when confronted with the sovereignty of God in salvation. The first is whether or not there is injustice on God’s part if He chooses one person over another. Paul answers, “By no means!” Borrowing from God’s words to Moses in Ex. 33:19 (“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I’ll have compassion on whomever I choose” [v.15]) and using Pharaoh as an example, he states that “it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” [v. 16].

The second question is this: if man cannot resist the will of God, why does God still find fault with man? This question is met with both a stern reminder by Paul that the creation should not ask the Creator “Why have you made me this way?” and a patient explanation that the Potter has the right to shape and mold the clay into whatever vessels He sees fit. We are simply called to trust the sovereign wisdom of our Maker and King.