ROMANS 11:35

“Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM, THAT IT WOULD BE PAID BACK TO HIM?”

Last week in our small group at church, the teacher asked us what prayer meant to us? We had a lot of answers given. Some said confession while others said communication. One person said worship. For many it’s the time when they ask God for stuff and some even claim they deserve it. We can never presuppose anything toward God. He doesn’t answer to us, but He is always listening.

Today’s verse seems to be a reference to Job 41:11 which says “Who has been first to give to Me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the entire heaven is Mine.” Albert Barnes says this about today’s verse. “This is the sense in which the apostle uses the word here. Who has, by his services, laid God under obligation to recompense or pay him again?” There is nothing you can do that will obligate God to do anything. Let’s think about that for a minute.

APPLICATION

Well Carl, if that is true, why do I keep doing all this stuff to try to please Him and curry favor? That’s a very good question. Why are you doing that? You did nothing to earn your salvation, and you can nothing to keep it. Hear me out! The work on the cross was all that was necessary for you to receive the gift of salvation once you turn and follow Jesus. All the good stuff you do as a Christian is simply out of obedience because you love God, not to get loved by Him.

In Exodus 19:5 we hear the Lord say, “‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine;’” And I love Psalm 24:1, “A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’S, and all it contains, the world, and those who live in it.” One more verse about God’s right to all. In Psalm 50:12 we read, “‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and everything it contains.’”

When you pray, spend more time listening than talking. Allow the Holy Spirit Who dwells within you to speak truth to you. There is nothing wrong with asking God to answer a prayer request. In fact, He tells us to do that (John 15:7; 16:24). But always approach the throne room of God with humility acknowledging His glory and honor. Watch how God works through that.

Thank You, Lord, for hearing our requests when we come to you in humility and with a bowed heart.

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