Romans 11:1-2a

I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew.

Paul is talking about the nation of Israel, but what he says goes so much further. This isn’t just about writing part of the Bible or a point of theology. Paul needs the question of rejection answered for himself. If God would reject His people, then Paul is doomed. If God would reject His people, then he could reject more of His people in the future. That doesn’t just mean the Apostle Paul, that means you and me.

Israel was His people. He chose them. He knew them before they ever existed. He knew the heights of their fate and the depths of their failure. He knew every praise and every curse. He knew every public boast and private sin. They are still His people. He never lets them die out or go extinct. He protects them. He never turns His back or walks away. He is always present with them.

So many have a problem with the word “foreknew.” Would we want a God that was short-sighted and did not know all? Would we want a God that operated on whims rather than the carefully laid out steps that would save us? No, we want God to know. We want Him to always know. We also want Him to know everything about us and still love us. We want our God to know all of us and never abandon us. That is the good news. He always knew. Still, He will never reject you. Amen.