“Sarah Smile” – God’s call - Romans 9:20

 

 

This is Namma for Christ with the 140th inspirational message dated Wednesday, December 19^th, 2018 - entitled, “Sarah Smile – God’s call - Romans 9:20".

The scripture comes from the twentieth verse of the 9^th  chapter of Romans (as written by the Apostle Paul).  The surrounding scriptures are indicated below from the 19^th through the 26^th verses – that has as its sub-chapter title “The Calling of the Gentiles”.

Romans 9:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?”

 

The focus verse of Romans 9:20  states “Why is man questioning God?”  see below –

 

The remaining scriptures that follow this verse, provide God’s answer to this question:

Romans 9:19-26

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁹ You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” ²⁰ But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” ²¹ Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

²² What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, ²³ and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, ²⁴ even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

²⁵ As He says also in Hosea:

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,
And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
²⁶ “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,
‘You are not My people,’
There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

 

I am writing this message with a sad disposition and a hurting heart. For the last five years, I have served as a teacher’s assistant for 6^th through 8^th graders (for Math) for the same Middle School that I once attended over 40 years ago. Recently, one of my students who was with us (in the classroom) last year, is nearing the end of her life as she battles brain cancer. This 12 year old young lady is one of the nicest, sweetest, kindest young students that I’ve ever had the pleasure of teaching. Her name is Sarah. Sarah is also known for her sweet, kind, BEAUTIFUL SMILE and her GREAT disposition (despite what she is personally going through). All throughout her young life, she has had multiple surgeries and has had to endure ill-health while doing her best (when she is able to attend school). I was recently informed that Sarah has taken a turn for the worst. For some time now, I have been praying for God to heal this beautiful “little angel”.

This evening, God has provided me a new awareness of “Sarah’s” condition. Below are 3 realizations I have had, based on scripture:

1.  I have realized that the words in Isaiah 55:8-9 are “true” at ALL TIMES (especially, when we, as humans try to “understand” God’s Sovereign ways).  God’s thoughts are truly NOT our thoughts and God’s ways are truly NOT our ways – God’s WAYS and THOUGHTS are HIGHER than our ways and thoughts. See Isaiah 55:8-9 below:

Isaiah 55:8-9

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁸ “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
⁹ “For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts

 

2.  Romans 9:20 reminds us – who are “we” (as mere mortals ) to question God… Other related scriptures are listed below that corroborate with this verse - See below:

Isaiah 29:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁶ Surely you have things turned around!
Shall the potter be esteemed as the clay;
For shall the thing made say of him who made it,
“He did not make me”?
Or shall the thing formed say of him who formed it,
“He has no understanding”?

 

Jeremiah 18:6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁶ “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!

 

Daniel 4:35

New King James Version (NKJV)

³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing;
He does according to His will in the army of heaven
And among the inhabitants of the earth.
No one can restrain His hand
Or say to Him, “What have You done?”

 

3.   Lastly, Jeremiah 29:11 confirms that God knows the plans (that He has for each of our lives.) 

Jeremiah 29:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

One’s life is not to be measured by “how many years” we live on this earth, but our lives should be based on fulfilling the “unique purposes God” has for each of us.

God’s hope and future – for “some”, could be the future (and hope of heaven) He has for them to spend eternally, with Him, in heaven – not on earth.  OR...God COULD in His Divine Sovereign Way "Miraculously Heal" ... just as "God healed Lazarus and raised him from the dead" - (as found in John 11:1-44).  Jesus said in John 11:4, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." If God so chooses, HE CAN bring Sarah back to "full and complete health" on "this side of heaven". He is able to restore Sarah to perfect health and heal her of cancer - IF HE WILLS IT!

Genesis 18:14 reminds us - "Is anything too hard for God?"
 
Jeremiah 32:27 states, "Behold - I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for Me?"

Luke 1:37 states - "FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE."

We should “never” compare one person’s life to another…God makes each of us "uniquely" to glorify Him, as HE SEES FIT!

1 Corinthians 10:31

 New King James Version (NKJV)

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

God LOVES Sarah – He loves her the MOST! She IS His little angel…His child – she was made to Glorify Him! Sarah was created by the Hand of God and He has never taken “His hand” or “His eye” off of HIS precious daughter, Sarah. Jesus states that “HE will never leave us, nor forsake us” – as Hebrews 13:5 confirms:

Hebrews 13:5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁵ Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

 

In summary, God is GOD ALL BY HIMSELF! HE KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING! HE IS TOO WISE TO ERR.

Romans 8:28 reminds us – God will work ALL things together for good! See the below verse:

 

Romans 8:28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

 

 

WHEN WE CAN’T TRACE GOD’s HAND, WE MUST TRUST GOD’s HEART.

 

Please enjoy the above song/video by Hall and Oates, entitled “Sarah Smile” (with lyrics). (This song and meditation is dedicated to the memory of my dear student, Sarah. She gained her wings and passed away on February 13, 2019. May she continue to rest in heavenly peace with Jesus...I will never forget her...)

 (I do not own the rights to this song.) 
 

BE BLESSED!