A Prayer about Reservations Only by Grace
God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace. (Rom. 11:2–6)
Holy Father, at least seventeen times a day I need to be reminded of how I got into your story of redemption and how I stay there. Occasionally I’m like Elijah, assuming I’m special because I’m one of the few who really “gets” the gospel—no longer bowing the knee to performance based spirituality, moralism, or legalism. At other times I know myself to be an idolater— not worshiping Baal, but worshiping almost anything or everything else— and wondering how I could possibly be yours.
Then, like a rebuke or a kiss from heaven (depending on my attitude), I hear the Holy Spirit speak these words to my heart: “I have reserved for myself . . .” As in the days before Elijah, of Elijah, and long after Elijah, you’ve reserved and are preserving a much loved people for yourself.
Many of them have Israeli passports, but most don’t. In fact, no nation or people group will be excluded from your family, so great is your covenant of grace. My only claim to being your son is the reservation you made for me by grace. “But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace” (Rom. 11:6). If I’m not careful, I can even turn “getting the gospel” into a work— as though I were smart enough, hip enough, or spiritual enough to be a member of an elite gospel club.
Father, because of past grace, present grace, and future grace, I want to live with bowed knees and palms up toward you. I seek to worship other things less by loving you more. I pray in Jesus’ exalted name.
Amen.