God is Sovereign in His Mercy
Rev. Enoch Thompson | Tuesday, September 29, 2026 | Romans 9:14–18
KEY VERSE: “What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! … It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.” — Romans 9:14–16 NIV
MESSAGE:
After explaining God’s sovereign choice in Romans 9:6–13, Paul anticipates an important question: “What then shall we say? Is God unjust?” His answer is clear: “Not at all!” God is perfectly holy, righteous, and good. His sovereign actions always remain consistent with His character.
Paul points to God’s words to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Mercy cannot be earned or demanded. It flows freely from God’s gracious and sovereign will. Every expression of divine mercy should therefore lead us to gratitude and humility.
Paul then turns to Pharaoh. God raised Pharaoh up so that His power would be displayed and His name proclaimed throughout the earth. Pharaoh resisted God, yet even his resistance could not frustrate God’s purpose. God remained sovereign over the entire situation and used it to reveal His power and advance His redemptive plan.
This passage leaves no room for spiritual pride. Our hope rests on God’s mercy. We have received grace that we could never earn, and that truth should fill our hearts with gratitude, humility, and worship. The mercy we receive from God should also shape the way we treat others. As recipients of His grace, we should become people who extend forgiveness, patience, compassion, and kindness. A heart that understands mercy should increasingly reflect mercy.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Thank God daily for His mercy and resist the temptation to treat His blessings as something you deserve. Walk in humility, remembering that every spiritual blessing comes from God’s grace. Show mercy to others through forgiveness, patience, compassion, and practical kindness.
PRAYER:
Merciful Father, thank You for Your abundant mercy. Forgive me for trusting in myself or taking Your grace for granted. Help me to walk humbly, trust Your sovereign purposes, and remember that every good gift comes from You. Fill me with gratitude and make me a channel of mercy so that my life reflects the grace of Jesus Christ and brings glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
Day 272 Ezekiel 36–39 — Restoration, Renewal, and God’s Victory
DAILY word study: HAVE MERCY The Greek verb translated “have mercy” is ἐλεέω, eleeō. It means to show compassion, extend mercy, or respond graciously to someone in need.
Paul uses this word repeatedly in the passage. In verse 15, God says, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” In verse 16, Paul speaks of “God, who has mercy.” The emphasis is active. Mercy is something God gives and expresses.
This gives us a deeper insight: God’s mercy is not merely a feeling of sympathy. It is His gracious action toward people who cannot claim it as something they have earned. When you understand mercy this way, gratitude grows. You begin to see every expression of God’s grace as a gift from His heart.
Reflect on This:
How should receiving God’s mercy change the way you respond to people who need patience, forgiveness, and compassion?
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