God's Choice

Exodus 33:19b
And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.

This seems like one of the most unfair statements our Lord has made. As if His mercy is random, just a whim - however He may be feeling that day. No, I'm not trying to blasphemous, I'm just trying to touch upon some real feelings we all have and may be afraid to face up to.

How many times have our words, thoughts, or actions said, "God isn't fair."? You look at other's around you, both believers and unbelievers, and it seems that there is no justice. If God is in control, how can He let this stuff go on like this?

I guess we need to know a little more about God and His nature to fully understand this. The scripture we started with states He will be merciful to whom He chooses, and gracious to whom He chooses. So that leads to the next question, "Who did He choose?"

John 6:44 tells us no man can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. And James 4:8 tells us that those who draw near to God, these He will near to. Both of these don't give us an exact answer, but give us a little evidence. If you have asked Jesus into your life as Lord and Savior, God chose you - and chooses to grow closer to you. He chooses to be merciful and gracious to you. He chooses to love you with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). He chooses never to leave you or forsake you (Heb 13:5).

Sometimes the way the Lord works is just beyond our grasp (Ps 139:6) so we need to trust in fact: He chose us; He loves us; He won't leave us. He is just/fair (Job 4:17; Pr 11:1; Pr 16:11; Isa 45:21; Zeph 3:5).

We can trust Him, and now we know that the words He spoke to Moses (at least in our context) about who he chooses was about those of us that chose Jesus.