“I feel such great sorrow and heartache for you that never leaves me! God knows these deep feelings within me as I long for you to come to faith in [Christ].”   Rom 9:2,3 TPT

The Book of Romans is without a doubt Paul’s Magnum Opus as a theologian. The depth of revelation and the logical, systematic, and articulate way in which Paul distills the depth and clarity of the gospel is unparalleled. If Paul had done nothing else, if he had only penned this amazing treatise of Biblical truth, he would already be a legend heralded throughout the ages. 

As impressive as Paul’s insights into the mysteries of truth are, what moves me—often to tears—is the message of love and affection that is woven throughout. As a Pharisee of Pharisees (Acts 23:6), a man who had sat at the feet of Gamaliel*, Paul was trained by the best and excelled above his peers. His arguments in Romans are irrefutable, presented with legal precision. And yet, what shines through is not just his head, but his heart. He had not only been convinced and converted; Paul had fallen in love. More than enlightened, Paul had been turned inside out. A man prone to scale the heights of intellectual prowess had become undone by a much greater power. Christology and justification by faith are super, but Paul caps it off with an even more visceral and transformative reality: “because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!” (Rom 5:5 TPT). 

As Paul masterfully tackles the thorny matter of Israel’s place in the plan of God, he is so overwhelmed by the never-ending, reckless nature of God’s mercy that he quite unexpectedly, as if in mid-sentence, cries out: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom 11:33). He then proceeds to say the only reasonable response to this is to present ourselves like living sacrifices upon God’s altar (Rom 12:1). Wouldn’t it be incredible if the theses of our seminary graduates went so uncharacteristically off-script! 

Paul begins the letter to the church in Rome by saying that he had been praying “without ceasing” for the believers there, longing to see them in order to impart to them “some spiritual gifts so that you may be established” (Rom 1:10-11). Since Paul had never been to Rome, that means he had not even met most of the people for whom he had such warm affections; and yet had had such an ardent desire to see them growing in Christ and becoming ever more fruitful in His service!

In Romans 15 he continues, expressing that he had had “a great desire these many years to come to you” that he might “enjoy your company” (v. 23-24). Paul had been raised in the hardware world of strict rules and regulations. He did not abandon the hardware after he met Christ; he overlayed and interfaced it with the software of agape—of relationships of a depth and quality that had been unthinkable under his former paradigm as a Pharisee. The word “enjoy” (Gr. empiplemi) means fulfilled, satiated, satisfied. Clearly his encounter with Jesus had been Grinch-like in its impact:

And what happened then? Well in Whooville they say—

that the Grinch’s small heart grew three sizes that day.

While many would probably say their favorite chapter in Romans is 8, or 12, I have always loved the way it reaches a crescendo in the last chapter, 16. Perhaps you only see it as a list of names, a salutation, or a way of sending one’s regards. Since the Holy Spirit first touched me about its essence, I can no longer see it this way. Although Paul had yet to visit Rome, he already knew the names of twenty-eight people there. His comments about them are priceless. Some had “helped” him, literally meaning caring for the needs of others and aiding them with resources. Some had risked their own necks for him. Some had spent time in prison with him. He commends them for their labors, as apostles, as servants of God, as beloved, even one as being his own mother! He exhorts them to greet each other with a holy kiss (16:16). 

My prayer for you is, as it is for me: that we would continue to grow daily in our walk. This includes in knowledge, in gifts, in service. And, that we might especially excel in the one thing that Paul referred to as the “more excellent way”, stating emphatically and conclusively, “[if] I have not love, I am nothing” (1 Cor 12:31; 13:2).

* One of the great thinkers in Jewish history, grandson of Rabbi Hillel, one of the most famous theologians of ancient Israel.

“When my father and mother forsake me, The Lord will take care of me…” Ps 27:10

David’s credentials as one of the greatest men in history are many: his outstanding bravery in battle, his wisdom in governance, and his ability to unify and create a national identity out of a people who had been scattered and oppressed for hundreds of years. Recall the time when he took up an offering to build the temple. His own sacrifices and generosity inspired the Israelites so much he had to restrain them from giving! His military prowess caused the women to dance and sing in the streets. His commanders risked their lives just to bring him a cup of water. No wonder we revere and emulate his leadership three thousands years later.

His elevation did not coming easily. David had faced lions and bears. He famously slayed Goliath. His own king threw spears at him to try to kill him, then chased him around the forests and wilderness areas of Judea for seven years. Time and time again, with fearless tenacity he defied the odds in battle. These experiences all proved and purified David’s character as he passed test after test on the road to becoming a man of and for the people of Israel.

And yet, I suspect David’s hardest test was with his family. Although it is in the background of his story, it was likely in the foreground of his heart. While there is no joy like family joy, there is also no pain like family pain. We see from David’s example, this too was a battle that he fought with vigilance and conviction. Sure, he was far from perfect. He made huge mistakes. He sinned. But he never gave up. He believed he would see the goodness of God in the land of the living; and for this reason alone he never lost heart, but remained confident (Ps 27:13,14). 

David’s family battles were fought on every front: with parents, siblings, wife, and children. The first time we meet David was the biggest day in his family’s history. The great Prophet Samuel, the man used by God to anoint Israel’s first king, to whom the King himself was subject, came to sacrifice in David’s town, and visit his own home. Armed with the horn of the anointing oil, Samuel had come to the house of Jesse to find the future king of Israel. As each of his seven brothers passed before Samuel to be blessed and considered for the nation’s highest honor, where was David? Left out in the fields watching a few sheep. 

Beloved, that hurts! When Samuel asked Jesse if he had any other sons, he responded by saying the “smallest” was with the animals. This Hebrew word does not mean youngest. It means unimportant, insignificant, base. Maybe his dad disdained him for his singing and song writing? Whatever the case, David was neglected, rejected, or as he says in Ps 27:10, forsaken. 1 Sam 17:20 says they had servants who could have been taking care of this menial task. Many have become bitter and resentful for much less. Many are plagued with spirits of rejection, insecurity, and inferiority because of such treatment. Not David.

It wasn’t just his parents either. Some time later, David’s three oldest brothers were sent to war. Jesse sent David to the front to bring food and supplies to his brothers, and gifts to their captains to honor them. As David arrives with these goodies to refresh his brothers, there is no gratitude in his oldest brother Eliab’s heart; only fury. His cutting, mocking response was venomous:

“With whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart…” (17:28)

Ouch. The person I most respected after my father growing up was my oldest brother. Such bitter criticism and derision can be crippling. To think that David would rise to such heights of historical reverence and yet his own parents and siblings were blind to his maturity, courage, or skills, is hard to believe. David achieved greatness despite being raised in a family that could not see the tremendous potential in him, but instead belittled and misjudged him.

After fleeing for his life and hiding in a cave, 400 social misfits and ticked off men chose to join him in what easily could have become a 9th century BC pity party. I wonder if David considered if it might be better to face Saul’s vengeful spear throwing! Right in the midst of this craziness, an easy to miss phrase is inserted into the record of scripture that bit me like a doberman many years ago, and has yet to let go.

“when his brothers and all his father’s house heard it, they went down there to him.” (1 Sam 22:1b)

Despite their former appraisal of the runt of the family, David’s brothers and parents all chose to flee to David, even if it meant living in a stone-cold cave alongside his motley companions. And David received them. David took care of them. Despite the injustice and undeserved ridicule he had suffered from them, David forgave them. Knowing how they had maligned and mistreated him over a period of years, they might have felt reticent or embarrassed to humble themselves and ask for David’s help. Still they came, convinced he would not repay them for the wrongs they had done, but receive them with open arms.

David is esteemed as great not only because he defeated giants or hordes of Philistines. He faced enemies that would have slain lesser men, that sought to divide and destroy his most cherished relationships: those of his own family. He guarded his heart from harboring resentment, deciding rather to take his hurts and lay them at the feet of his God and Redeemer. These are exactly the things that attracted God’s affection, making him the only person honored in scripture as being a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22).