Devotional for Tuesday, March 31, 2020

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

After meditating on these verses, two pictures come to mind. The first picture is of how King David tirelessly gathered all of the builders, suppliers, and resources for his son Solomon after God told him he was not going to be in charge of building His temple. This was King David’s investment in Solomon. In the very first few words of Romans 8:29, God says He foreknew us. Such weight behind such few words! God is showing us here that He is a very BIG and, like how King David kept Solomon in mind, God has had us in mind since before the beginning. When reading on in Romans 8:29, God also says that His children are predestined to be transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus Christ. The second picture that came to mind is found in Luke 14:25-33 when Jesus was describing the cost of discipleship to a huge crowd by describing how a builder first counts the cost of the build in order to ensure it can be completed. In the holiest of ways, considering our salvation, did God not count the cost when sending His Son down to die on the Cross?

When reading Romans 8:29-30, do you believe that God has your best interest in mind and always will? For me this is a tough one, especially when I think of my turbulent childhood. Much of my insecurities today stem from my childhood experiences, like my fear of man for example. It is really hard to believe that all the pain and suffering of being an outcast and overweight as a kid is all playing a part into being conformed to the image of His Son. But God, being way more interested in our holiness than we are, has a grand plan for how He’s going to take His children there from start to finish – and we are on it! If the answer is yes for you, how will this change how you lean into humility, suffering, service, and love today?  

Posted by Andrew Han on 3/31/2020

Comments

I am often a living contradiction ie. I can embrace and feel loved by God's predestining and choosing me before the world began but reject and not feel loved in how this plays out in my day to day. Recently, I find it easy to complain about the quarantine situation and can be tempted to see this season as a less than optimal way to orchestrate my sanctification. Praying to truly believe this is plan A!

Andrew Kim on 3/31/2020 at 10:20 AM

Yeah, that phrase, "predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" is incredible. People seem to like to use the word fate; well then we could say it's our "fate" as Christians to become like Jesus. Not to diminish the amount of spiritual fighting we have to do day-in and day-out, but it's so reassuring to me that, like you said, God is way more interested in our holiness than we are and is going to accomplish His purpose in us! We can learn the easy way or the hard way. Oh that I would learn the easy way! Lord, help me willingly choose to be humble, to suffer gladly for you, to serve others whether they demand it or I volunteer it, and to love others above myself.

Luke Ellison on 3/31/2020 at 10:54 AM

At times, it’s hard to believe that what God wills and/or allows is Plan A. I’m saying this from my perspective. But God’s perspective is from the beginning to the end of His creation as well as our individual lives. So, I have to preach the gospel to myself everyday so that I remind myself that I am not the God of my life and I need to trust in His plan A for me. I don’t feel like I “lean in” very well... I feel like I go “kicking and screaming” at times ...into His will for me...but EVERY time, God has met me and been gracious towards me.

Jeanni Eun on 3/31/2020 at 12:30 PM

After more than half a century of God's unwavering faithfulness to me, you would think that I would be equally unwavering in my trust to Him - not so. The requirement for us to remember how much God loves me, even to partake of Communion, has never been more real and pressing to me.

Make me steadfast like you, oh Lord and humble me to know that the only life living is a life of unwavering in my trust to you. Help me to remember. Amen!

Henry Jung on 3/31/2020 at 5:43 PM