Daily Devotional
Was Anyone Created for Hell?
For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.
Romans 9:17-18
October 29, 2021
Ponder This
God does not create people in order to damn them. God does not create people in order to destroy them. God is a God of love. Now, if you think that God wants some to go to Hell, consider this Scripture, 1 Timothy 2:4. It speaks of God, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
But you can harden your heart. The Bible warns against people being hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Quoting Psalm 95:7-8, Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” If you harden your heart against God, you will crystallize in your sin, and God’s judgment upon you will harden your heart even more. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart after Pharaoh first hardened his own heart against the Lord, and God destroyed Pharaoh. In the longsuffering of God and the warnings God sent to Pharaoh, Pharaoh would not accept those warnings. And he was made an example of God’s wrath. Remember this: God is going to get glory with those in Heaven, and God is going to get glory by judgment in those who go to Hell.
- How might you discern if you have hardened your heart against God?
- Is this hardening always total or can it happen in various aspects of our lives?
Practice This
Read through Romans 9 today, asking God to open your eyes to see anywhere you might have hardened your heart against Him. Ask Him to help you repent and draw near to Him.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
