Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

19-What Went Wrong? We saw yesterday that the Nation of Israel was in line to receive God's salvation. But something happened, something went wrong...very wrong. Paul tells us here that although Israel pursued the law of righteousness, she didn't attain it. She fell short, she failed. Why? Watch what the apostle writes next: Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. (Romans 9:32 NKJV) Israel tried to do the right thing, but went about it the wrong way. Instead of seeking it by faith, she tried to do it by obeying the rules and regulations of the law. "What's so wrong about that? That actually sounds pretty admirable." Don't forget what we learned back in Romans Chapter 4. It's by faith, and faith alone, that we're made acceptable in the sight of God. No amount of rule keeping or do-gooding could ever be enough to bridge the gap between our sinfulness and God's holiness. Ever! The only way we can ever get right with God is by faith. God wants it that way, and no other way. Why? Because faith requires relationship, and God wants relationship with us, not religious routines from us. That's what went wrong with Israel. It became a system of routines, rules, regulations, and rituals that were devoid of any real relationship. So much so that when the Son of God revealed Himself to Israel, they were stumbled by Him! "Too bad for them!" Too bad for them...or too bad for us? Aren't there times when we revert to routine instead of pursuing relationship with the Lord? Isn't it easier for our flesh to focus on a checklist rather than rely on faith? Of course it is, and we're guilty of going there with God. Let's not. Let's live by faith and allow it to produce the kind of relationship the Lord wants with us. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. (Romans 9:32 NKJV) Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?