February 4, 2009 - Romans 9 : 16-18

"It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden."

This passage sums it up. Ultimately, God can do whatever he wants. Not at all does it depend on what we do or how we feel. Our desires or effort does not determine our relationship with God. Only God can decide what happens. In this case, he decides to love us; to give us the grace that we do not deserve. The Love that saved mankind which in turn could so easily have destroyed mankind showed us mercy. God raises all of us up so that we may glorify him. It may seem selfish, but we were made to glorify him, nothing else. His love changes us so much that we can help but to. And these verses have really hit me. My purpose in life is to live out his will and glorify him in everything i do. because he has given me mercy. 

Amen.