Thursday, 8 August 2013
….that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. Romans 9:2
This is the continuation of the previous half of Paul’s thought. He had stated that he was speaking the truth and that his conscience bore witness in the Holy Spirit to this fact. His heart truly had “great sorrow and continual grief.” The reason for this pain will be explained as the chapter unfolds and as he writes his great dialogue on the state of Israel during this time of their rejection of Christ Jesus.
What Paul shows us here, and what we will find throughout the New Testament, is that there truly is a time for grief. As Solomon puts it in Ecclesiastes 3:4 –
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
At the same time as bearing his grief, Paul was also filled with joy continually (e.g. 2 Corinthians 7:4). From this we learn that there is room for both states in the heart at the same time and that there is nothing wrong or deceptive with it. Our lives can be filled with joy immeasurable at the prospect of eternity with Jesus and yet broken at the unsaved status of those we love. Paul shows us that this is so and therefore we can confidently live in the same manner without belying the joy of our salvation.
Life application: There is nothing wrong with grieving. In fact, it would show a failing in us if we didn’t grieve over the lost. Let your heart be broken for that which breaks the Lord’s heart.
Heavenly Father, my life is filled with joy, peace, and contentment at the promise I have in Christ. I am full to overflowing in this way. And at the same time, my heart grieves for those who haven’t received the peace and salvation which You freely offer to all. Please open the eyes of those I love to the truth of the good news. This is my prayer today. Amen.