For “Everyone who calls upon the name of ADONAI [the LORD] shall be saved.” Romans 10:13, TLV

Everyone?       Back when Paul wrote this, it was considered quite controversial. Why? Because he was including Gentiles in the everyone-group. Gentiles? Those pagans who worshipped other gods? Sacrificed their own children? Drank blood? Had orgies in their temples? The ones God had forbidden them to associate with for thousands of years? Even them? Yep.

But the critics of the Jewish emissaries to the nations — to those pagans — were wrong. Just as the set time had come for the Messiah, so had the set time come for the redemption of the world.

Thus says ADONAI-Tzva’ot [the LORD of Hosts], “In those days it will come to pass that ten men from every language of the nations will grasp the corner of the garment of a Jew saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” (Zechariah 8:23, TLV)

Jesus not only came as our atonement — the sacrificial Lamb — He ushered in a new age. The age we are living in today. An age where ANYONE can be adopted into God’s family. I’m sure glad of that.

What does that mean for us? The contemporary version of this would be for someone who had abused us and our family — our greatest enemy — calling on the name of the Lord in true repentance and being saved. Would we embrace them as family?

That would give most of us pause, yes? I know it would me. But if we don’t understand what redemption and forgiveness are then we don’t understand our Father and His Son. We can become prideful and critical, just as those confused Jewish leaders so long ago.

When seeds of God’s Good News are scattered, we never know what will spring up. Let’s be sure we don’t stomp on the new seedlings.

Think More About It

Can you think of anyone you would never believe they would come to faith? As I think about it I wonder now if I should be praying for that very thing? Thoughts? Insights?

May we remember we don’t decide who will follow our LORD.

My dear friends, after much prayer and wise counsel, I will be cutting back on my devotional writing. Instead of seven days per week, as of tomorrow, I will be reducing these posts to five days per week. Monday through Friday. Saturday—my Sabbath—and Sunday—many of my friends’ Sabbath—will be time for my family and time to focus on worship and rest. Thank you for your understanding.

Praying for Israel—Prayer Prompts

And answering, He said, “It’s not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”

But she said, “Yes, Master, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.”

Then answering, Yeshua said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed in that very hour. Matthew 15:26-28, TLV

Throughout Scriptures—Genesis to Revelation—there were Gentiles/strangers who were included in Israel. After Yeshua returned to His Father, the term grafted was an elevated, more inclusive term. Today’s prompt is just a reminder that we don’t decide whose heart will soften and come to faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by His Son’s atonement. So, my prayer in, “Whatever it takes, bring Your children to be grafted as wild olive branches.” Join me? God bless you.