Blog 11 - Hope in God's Plan

 

Hope in God’s Plan

Read:

• 1 Kings 19 v 9-18 (Context)
• Romans 11

Imagine you’re on a long road trip, but suddenly the GPS reroutes you through unfamiliar, winding backroads. It’s easy to feel lost and unsure if you’ll reach your destination. But if you trust the GPS, it’s actually leading you on a better, faster route that you just can’t see yet. Sometimes, life feels like that detour—uncertain, confusing, and discouraging. In the Bible, we see that even when things seem uncertain, God’s plan is still at work. But we’ll see this through the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 and how it connects to Paul’s teaching in Romans 11 about hope and God’s faithfulness.

God’s Response to Elijah’s Despair (1 Kings 19:9-18)

In 1 Kings 19, Israel is in turmoil, having turned away from God to worship Baal. Elijah feels alone, thinking he’s the last faithful prophet, and his hope is fading (v. 9-10). But in verses 11-12, God reveals Himself in a gentle whisper, reminding Elijah that He is still present, even when all seems lost. Elijah continues to express his despair (v. 14), yet God responds with a plan: He instructs Elijah to journey through the wilderness, anoint new leaders, and appoint Elisha as his successor (v. 15-17). Most importantly, God assures him that He has preserved a remnant—7,000 Israelites who have not bowed to Baal (v. 18). This shows that even in dark times, God remains faithful and sovereign, quietly working out His purposes. Just as He reassured Elijah, God reminds us that He is always in control, even when we can’t see the full picture.

God’s Faithfulness in His Promises (Romans 11v1-6)

Paul starts this chapter with a question “has God cast away His people?” This is something that you may feel, maybe you feel like God has abandoned you or you just feel alone. But Paul explains that you are not alone and uses the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 19 that when Elijah felt all alone, God preserved 7,000 men to not rejected God. (v2-4) Showing there were still faithful believers among Israel.

Paul then emphasises God’s grace in verse 5 and 6. That the remnant, the 7,000 Israelites were kept by God’s sovereign grace. God made sure that they remained faithful. Verse 6 reminds us that it wasn’t their works that God saved them but entirely God’s grace for His people.

God’s plan for Salvation (Verse 11-15)

Imagine reading a mystery novel or watching a mystery show. At first, the plot twists and turns are confusing, but by the end, everything clicks into place, and the whole story makes sense. That’s how it feels with God’s plan for our lives—it might start off confusing and hard to understand, but eventually, when you look back, you see how it all fits together.

In Romans 11:11-12, we see this play out with Israel. Even though they rejected God, Paul explains that their stumbling wasn’t final. Instead, their rejection brought salvation to the Gentiles, showing that God’s plan was bigger than anyone could see. God used Israel’s rejection to bless the world, and He’s not done with Israel. He’s just expanding His plan to include all nations.

But Paul warns the Gentiles not to get cocky. In verse 18, he says, “Do not boast against the branches... you do not support the root, but the root supports you.” They are part of God’s plan by grace, not because they’ve earned it, so they need to stay humble. God’s grace is for everyone, but it requires us to recognize that it’s all from Him, not something we can take credit for.

The Mystery of God’s Plan (Verse 25-32)

Verse 25 to 32 explains that Israel’s current hardening is only temporary, lasting until the full number of Gentiles have come to faith. Paul calls this a “mystery,” showing that God’s plan includes both Jews and Gentiles. Despite Israel’s disobedience, God’s promises remain, and His gifts and calling are unchangeable (v. 29). Through Israel’s disobedience, mercy has been extended to the Gentiles, and now, through God’s grace, Israel too will receive mercy. This passage reveals God’s overarching plan to bring everyone Jew and Gentile alike into His mercy, highlighting His faithfulness and unwavering commitment to His promises.

Trusting God’s Wisdom and Mercy (Verse 33-36)

Verse 33-36 is a hymn of praise, where Paul marvels at the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge. He acknowledges that God’s ways are beyond human understanding, yet perfectly just and good. These verses remind us to trust God’s plan, knowing that His wisdom guides everything, even when we don’t fully understand it. Maybe you aren’t where you want to be in life right now, or maybe your facing trails of many kinds. Seek God through prayer and He will guide you because He loves you. Just like Israel and Elijah, His plan will always come out better than we could ever imagine.

Dear Lord, thank you for what this passage reminds us that you know what goes before us and what will be after us. Let us find hope in your sovereignty and remind us that you are in control of all things. Guide us as we navigate through life’s trials and tribulations. Amen.

Going Deeper Questions

1. How does God’s response to Elijah in 1 Kings 19v9-18 show His faithfulness, even when we feel alone or discouraged?
2. In verse 11 and 12, how does God use Israel’s rejection to bring salvation to the Gentiles, and what does this teach us about His plan? How does that encourage us in our own lives when we feel like life isn’t going the direction we want it to go?
3. Why does Paul warn the Gentiles against arrogance in verse 18, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
4. What does verse 25-32 reveal about God’s promises to Israel and His plan for both Jews and Gentiles?
5. How does Paul’s praise in verse 33-36 encourage us to trust God’s wisdom, even when we don’t understand His plan?