Romans 9:1-29.  Paul had just made his case that those who are saved by faith are safe because they are God’s elect (8:33).  They will face all kinds of troubles in this life but nothing will separate them from God’s love (8:39).  What of those Israelites who did not believe? They are Abraham’s other children — of the flesh, not of the promise.  They are like the Edomites — descendants of Esau, not Jacob — destined to serve Jacob because of God’s electing love.  The prophets speak of a time when God’s love would choose a remnant for himself from among those who were not his people. Paul shows from both Moses and the prophets that salvation has always been through God’s electing grace.  This is not reason for smugness and pride. It caused great sorrow and anguish in Paul’s heart.

LORD, we cannot fully understand the mechanics of your sovereignty.  But, like Paul, we have sorrow and anguish in our hearts because of the vessels of wrath all around us.