Romans 11:1-6: a reflection

1I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God didn’t reject his people, whom he foreknew. Or don’t you know what the Scripture says about Elijah? How he pleads with God against Israel: 3“Lord, they have killed your prophets. They have broken down your altars. I am left alone, and they seek my life.” 4But how does God answer him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5Even so too at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Paul asks whether God has rejected his people, and answers emphatically: No. And he recalls Elijah, who, in his despair, cried out that he was the only faithful one left: They have killed your prophets; I alone am left, and they seek my life. But God's answer to Elijah was surprising: I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed to Baal. Elijah thought he stood alone; but God had preserved a faithful remnant Elijah knew nothing of.

Notice the comfort in God's answer to Elijah. Elijah felt utterly alone in his faithfulness, sure that he was the last one left; his sense of isolation had driven him to despair. But he was wrong: God had reserved seven thousand faithful ones, unknown to Elijah. He was not as alone as he felt; God had preserved a remnant, and always does. God's people are never reduced to nothing; he keeps for himself a faithful remnant, even when it seems all is lost.

That is a comfort when we feel alone in our faith. Like Elijah, we can feel that we are the only ones left who care about God, that faithfulness has all but disappeared, that we stand alone; and this can drive us to discouragement. But we are never as alone as we feel. God always preserves a faithful remnant, more than we know; there are others, unknown to us, who have not bowed the knee. When you feel alone in your faith, discouraged that faithfulness seems so rare, remember God's word to Elijah: I have kept for myself seven thousand. You are not the last faithful one; God preserves his remnant, by grace, and you are not as alone as you feel. Take heart that God always keeps for himself a faithful people, and you are among them.

Lord, when Elijah despaired that he was the only faithful one left, your answer surprised him: I have kept for myself seven thousand who have not bowed to Baal; he was not as alone as he felt, for you had preserved a remnant he knew nothing of. Comfort me with that when I feel alone in my faith. Like Elijah, I can feel that I am the only one left who cares about you, that faithfulness has all but disappeared, that I stand alone; and this can drive me to discouragement. But I am never as alone as I feel. You always preserve a faithful remnant, more than I know; there are others, unknown to me, who have not bowed the knee. When I feel alone in my faith, discouraged that faithfulness seems so rare, help me remember your word to Elijah: I have kept for myself seven thousand. I am not the last faithful one; you preserve your remnant, by grace, and I am not as alone as I feel. Help me take heart that you always keep for yourself a faithful people, and that I am among them.