Jesus Said, "But All This Was Done, That the Scriptures of the Prophets Might Be Fulfilled!"- Part 1446

"What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction [so] that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, even us, whom He hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?" (Romans 9:22)

What if?

His long suffering for His beloved to come to Him and get to know His goodness and grace so that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy. Not just as a passing thought -- a whim that is quickly cast aside, but through a plan of salvation which God Himself had decided before the foundation of the world was even made.

O how our Lord God must have suffered knowing that He -- the Lord Himself would come forth as a mighty man and endure the cross. (Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11) A contradiction in terms that the One and Only God who knew no sin would take upon Himself a robe of flesh so that we might have life more abundantly in Him.

It seems we are quick to judge God as a harsh God, wreaking havoc all over the world through natural calamities, instead of recognizing that at any point, God could have destroyed this world and everything within. But He chose not to do this because of us. Because of His abundance of love for you and I.

For God so loved the world! (John 3:16)

His love for His creation wherein His desire is to make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory. JESUS - the Lamb slain before the foundation of the earth - would at an appointed time be manifest in the flesh purposely to destroy the work of the devil.

"The first man is of the earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven." (I Corinthians 15:47)

The Lord Himself coming forth as a mighty man. (Isaiah 42:13)

"Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead, by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for HIS NAME. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:1-6)

"Who God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, [I say] at this time His righteousness; that He might be just and the justifier of him which believes in Jesus." (Romans 3:25-26)

This is why Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6)

A message of salvation not just for the Jews but for the Gentiles also. He came to set us free from the bondage in the world. (Galatians 5:1) And He did so on the cross, wherein He shed His precious blood so that we could find hope in Him. This is why there is therefore no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

"For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death." (Romans 8:1-2)

Therefore, as Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?"

The answer?

"For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39)

In other words, if God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)

A simple message, but one that should give us confidence, knowing that in everything we do -- in both word and deed, in the precious Name of Jesus will result in His glory forever and ever, amen. Every single thing being turned into good -- and for His glory and honour -- for those who love the Lord Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Stand in the offering plate.