Romans 16 - Steve Wiggins Daily Devotional

“Now to Him who has power to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Yeshua HaMoshiach, according to the revelation of the sacred secret kept silent for long ages, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic Scriptures, according to the command of the eternal G_d, to advance the obedience of faith among all nations – to the only wise G_d, through Yeshua HaMoshiach – to Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27

What is a “sacred secret”? It is a secret, which belongs to the L_rd, Whose prerogative it is to withhold or dispense at His will.

The particular secret Paul is speaking of today is this: G_d saves all people of any nationality, who by faith choose to follow Him by receiving the forgiveness offered them through believing in the atoning work of Yeshua. The prophets spoke often of this “secret”, but its understanding was not received by most of the Jewish people, until Yeshua’s resurrection and the Ruach HaKodesh’s (Holy Spirit’s) filling of believers on the day of Shavuot (Pentecost). Here is an example from Isaiah:

“All nations will stream to Zion and many peoples will say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L_rd, to the house of the G_d of Jacob. He will teach us His ways that we may walk in His paths.” Isaiah 2:1

When I was in college, I was required to read the original ‘Wizard Of Oz”. When, the professor told us the story was actually a parable of American politics, all the images shifted. Up till then, I had believed it was a magical story of a girl and her dog. Ever since my professor’s lecture, the “Tin man” now represents the oppressed iron worker, and the Scarecrow is the desperate farmer. The Lion represents William Jennings Bryan (Bryan-lion) and Dorothy is a parody of “Theodore” (Roosevelt)…and so on. It changed my whole understanding of the story! And I was a little upset that my previous understanding of the story had been revised…but was I justified in my feelings of resentment towards the professor for spoiling my preconceptions. In actuality, he did me a favor because he clarified the author’s true intended message.

Consider how Israel viewed (and mostly continues to view) the images, predictions and promises of the prophets. They saw them as pertaining exclusively to Israel and its restoration. The “sacred secret”, now revealed, is that the salvation provided exclusively through Messiah is available for people of all nations!

Notice Paul’s closing statements are absolutes. 1) It is G_d’s command that the obedience of faith be advanced among all nations. 2) The G_d of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob is the only wise G_d. 3) The “obedience of faith” comes through Yeshua.

Apart from the absolutes of G_d, no true foundation for worship exists.

Blessings,
~Steve Wiggins, Associate Leader, Worship Leader
Shuvah Yisrael
Daily Devotional, Friday, August 30, 2013