The letter of the apostle Paul to the Romans speaks with great clarity about why we should remain calm and trust in God’s sovereign will. Paul teaches that many of the things that occur in our lives do not depend on us, but on God alone. This truth challenges human pride and self-sufficiency, reminding us that we are not the ultimate controllers of our destiny. Instead, we are dependent creatures living under the authority and wisdom of a sovereign God.
This reality invites us to rest rather than to be anxious. When we understand that God governs all things according to His perfect will, we are freed from the burden of trying to control outcomes that are beyond our reach. Paul’s teaching does not encourage passivity or irresponsibility, but humility and trust. God calls His people to obedience, yet He also reminds us that the final outcome of all things rests in His hands.
The above statement makes it clear what God can do in His own time. Things do not happen when we desire or plan them according to human expectations; they happen when it is God’s will. This truth is often difficult to accept, especially in moments of suffering, uncertainty, or disappointment. However, Scripture repeatedly affirms that God’s timing is perfect, even when it does not align with our own.
Understanding that we depend entirely on God transforms our perspective on life. We are not self-made individuals who shape our destiny by sheer effort or determination. Rather, we are creatures sustained by God’s grace at every moment. Our lives, our breath, and our future are all in His hands. This dependence is not a weakness, but a source of hope, because it places our trust in a God who is wise, powerful, and good.
Paul illustrates this truth by addressing a difficult and often misunderstood example from Scripture. He refers to God’s declaration, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.” This statement raises the question of whether there is any injustice of God in His actions. Paul anticipates this objection and responds by reminding his readers of what God said to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
This declaration emphasizes God’s absolute freedom in showing mercy. God is not bound by human standards of fairness or merit. His mercy is not earned, negotiated, or demanded. It flows from His own will and character. Paul’s argument reaches a powerful conclusion with the following words:
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
Romans 9:16
This verse strikes at the heart of human pride. It teaches that salvation and divine favor do not depend on human desire (“him that willeth”) or human effort (“him that runneth”). No amount of determination, religious activity, or moral striving can obligate God to act. Mercy, by its very nature, is undeserved. If it could be earned, it would no longer be mercy.
Paul is not denying human responsibility, but he is clearly affirming divine sovereignty. God alone is the source of mercy. This truth humbles us, reminding us that we stand before God not as deserving claimants, but as needy recipients of grace. Everything we have received from God—life, faith, forgiveness, and hope—comes from His mercy alone.
Paul reinforces this teaching in verse 18, making the point even more explicit:
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Romans 9:18
This verse has often caused discomfort, yet it reveals an essential truth about God’s sovereignty. God is not accountable to human judgment. He acts according to His holy will, and His purposes are always just, even when they surpass human understanding. The hardening mentioned here does not imply that God is unjust or arbitrary, but that He sovereignly governs even the hearts of men in a way that accomplishes His redemptive plan.
It is important to understand that God’s mercy does not negate His justice. God is both merciful and righteous. He never acts unjustly, even when He shows mercy to some and not to others. Paul’s teaching calls us to bow in reverence before the mystery of God’s will rather than attempting to place Him on trial according to human logic.
For this reason, we do not approach God boasting in our goodness or achievements. Instead, we ask God for mercy for us. We do not ask because we are righteous, nor because we deserve His compassion. We ask because we recognize our true condition: we are weak, fragile, and prone to failure. Even when we strive to grow spiritually and live in obedience, we never forget how dependent we are on God’s sustaining grace.
This posture of humility is essential to the Christian life. It guards us against pride and self-righteousness. When we understand that everything depends on God’s mercy, we become more patient, more grateful, and more compassionate toward others. We realize that we stand before God by grace alone, not by merit.
As believers, we continually ask God for strength to resist temptation and endure trials. We know that apart from Him we can do nothing. Our confidence is not in our perseverance, but in God’s faithfulness. He is the One who sustains His people and brings His purposes to completion.
Therefore, we wait upon the Lord with hope and reverence. We look forward to the day when He comes for His people, not trusting in ourselves, but resting in His mercy. Until that day, we live in humble dependence, giving thanks for grace, seeking His strength, and submitting to His sovereign will.
Lord, we acknowledge that all things depend on You. We ask for Your mercy, not because we are worthy, but because You are gracious. Strengthen us in our weakness, teach us to trust in Your will, and keep us faithful until the day we meet You. Amen.