The Book of Romans: A 16 Day DevotionalSample

This letter of Paul has a wide diverse audience. Think of the different people that live in cities today. So it was true of Rome at the time. This letter wanted to unify the believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish (called Gentiles) together into God’s wonderful grace. Notice how through this chapter Paul is using verses from the Old Testament scriptures to help the Jewish readers see Christ’s fulfillment of the early scriptures. This helps non-Jewish people see God’s redemptive plan all along.

Take, for example, verses 25-27. Paul quotes Jeremiah 31, saying that God will create a New Covenant, no longer written on stone (The Ten Commandments) but written on the hearts of people. This is our new covenant of grace through Jesus.

Take some time to look in your Bible at some of the Old Testament scriptures quoted in this verse and notice how God’s biblical love story continually reveals Jesus. See 1 Kings 19:10, 14,
1 Kings 19:18, Deut. 29:4; Isaiah 29:10, Psalm 69:22, 23, Jer. 31:33-34.

Reflection
Reflect today on all the things you know about the Old Testament and how Jesus can be found in and through it. Reflect on the goodness and love of God through the biblical story.