September 26, 2026
MADE RIGHT BY FAITH
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Concerning the Gentiles, God says in the prophecy of Hosea, ‘Those who were not my people, I will now call my people. And I will love those whom I did not love before.’ And, ‘Then, at the place where they were told, “You are not my people,” there they will be called “children of the living God.”’
And concerning Israel, Isaiah the prophet cried out, ‘Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant will be saved. For the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth quickly and with finality.’ And Isaiah said the same thing in another place: ‘If the Lord of Heaven’s Armies had not spared a few of our children, we would have been wiped out like Sodom, destroyed like Gomorrah.’
What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said, ‘I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble, a rock that makes them fall. But anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.’”
Romans 9:25–33 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
At the end of this chapter, Paul quotes prophets Hosea and Isaiah to demonstrate that God’s inclusion of the Gentiles—and the preserving of a faithful Jewish remnant—was never a backup plan. It was foretold in Scripture all along.
1. The Prophets Foretold God's Sovereign Plan
Paul points to the Old Testament scriptures to prove that God has remained completely faithful to His Word:
The Call of the Gentiles (Hosea): Paul quotes Hosea 2:23 and Hosea 1:10 to show that those who were once outside the covenant family ("not my people") would be welcomed in and declared "children of the living God."
The Remnant of Israel (Isaiah): Paul then quotes Isaiah 10:22–23 and Isaiah 1:9 to show that physical ancestry alone does not guarantee salvation. Throughout history, only a faithful remnant would be saved, while the rest faced divine judgment.
God was not breaking His promises to Israel; rather, He was fulfilling them by expanding His family to every nation through grace.
2. The Paradox of Righteousness: Birth, Behavior, or Belief?
Beginning in verse 30, Paul turns from divine sovereignty to human responsibility.
He presents a shocking paradox that turned religious expectations upside down:
The Gentiles: They were not searching for God's holy standards, yet they received right standing with God simply by faith.
The People of Israel: They tried frantically to achieve righteousness through self-discipline and rule-keeping, yet they failed to reach it.
Why did Israel miss the mark? Because they tried to earn by performance what could only be received by faith.
Humble Equality:
The Jewish leaders assumed Gentiles had to "come up" to Israel's level of legalistic performance to be saved. The Jews had to "come down" to the exact same level as the Gentiles—acknowledging that all are helpless sinners who need a Savior.
They allowed their religious privileges and heritage to become a substitute for Christ. Instead of letting the Law lead them to Jesus, they relied on their own works and tripped over the Gospel.
3. The Cornerstone or the Stumbling Stone
Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16 to describe Jesus as the Cornerstone:
To those who rely on human effort, Jesus is a stumbling block that shatters their self-righteous pride. But to those who place their trust in Him, He is the solid foundation stone—and God promises that "anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
Reflection & Application
What kind of righteousness are you relying on? Is your confidence before God based on your family birth, your good behavior, or your personal belief in Jesus?
Is Jesus your foundation or your stumbling block? Have you surrendered the need to prove yourself to God, choosing instead to rest fully on the finished work of Christ?
Are you comfortable trusting God's mysterious ways? Can you rest in the knowledge that God's sovereign grace is big enough to save anyone who calls upon His name?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to make a way for me to belong to the family of God. I acknowledge today that I cannot earn my way into Your favor through my own good behavior or performance.
I declare that You are my Savior, my Lord, and my solid Cornerstone. I place my complete trust in Your death and resurrection as the full payment for my sin.
Deliver me from spiritual pride or self-reliance. Help me to stand firmly on the foundation of Your grace every day, knowing that in You I will never be disgraced. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
Comments