“If some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. Then you will say, ‘Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.’ That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. Note the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but kindness to you… And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
“Lest you be wise in your own sight,.. do not… be unaware of this mystery, brothers…
“For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy…
“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
“’For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?’
‘Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?’
“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:17-25a,30-31,33-36
In Paul’s explanation about God’s turning the gospel toward the Gentiles, he highlights that God does indeed work in mysterious ways. His chosen people Israel were set aside for a time in a supernatural plan that broadened the reach of the gospel to the Gentiles while coincidentally awakening jealousy in the Jews. In His divine economy, there was no room for smugness or desert, only awe. (Romans 11:1-12)
And so with us these conflicted days. Economic stress, political strife, civil unrest, broken promises public and private all set the stage for smugness as experts, taking the superior side, and proudly strutting our rightness. But God denounces that as wrong thinking. He will have none of our cocky arrogance or swagger of having deserved special favor. Instead, we’re to hush and bow in awe that He’s made Himself known to us in love, that He has by grace saved any. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
How could spending time, otherwise occupied with criticism and sarcasm, naming God’s attributes change our mindset? Diffuse antagonism? Foster love? Heighten our expectancy of how God can intervene in hard places? Pondering these possibilities leads to wonder of the unsearchable, inscrutable God, which redeems us from the inside out. When we consider His holiness and grandeur, there is no room for pride, only worship. Will I this day exchange all-about-me for Thee, only Thee? (Isaiah 6:1-5)
God on high, keep me in awe of You, offering You alone all glory.
As the rain and snow 