As Isaiah said before: Unless the LORD of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom, and we would have been made like Gomorrah. (Romans 9:29)
This is a telling title of a prophetic people throughout many centuries who are the result of an act of kindness that God in His sovereign grace poured out on them from the treasures of His infinite goodness several millennia ago! This Remnant is an unbroken chain of Jewish people who have spanned several millennia testifying to the grace of God apart from the works of man. This ‘‘poured out grace” of God, signals to everyone that He always keeps His promises in spite of countless attempts of satan to destroy and nullify His plans for His Remnant people. He has without fail, preserved for Himself in every generation a witness, in spite of man’s sinfulness and acts of self-will.
Paul the Apostle, says, “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, ‘Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life’? But what does the divine response say to him? ‘I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.’ Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:2–5). As we see in this scripture,the foreknowledge of God coupled with His predetermined will gives us confidence in His ability to bring everything He has spoken in regard to us to fruition! “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29). His word brings forth fruit even in uncertain times. Situations, circumstances, nor difficulties are able to negate what He says. No situation can force Him to draw back His stretched-out arm of blessing! God predetermined to have a remnant whom He would bless in every generation in Christ. And whatever He promised, He has also performed! We must never forget this phrase, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined” (Romans 8:29).In His foreknowledge, God called us in Christ Jesus before time began! Paul says, “God […] has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 1:8–10).
He has never been without a witness nor will He ever be! Therefore, the scripture says, “God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness” (Acts 14:15–17).
Before time began, God determined within Himself to bless Abraham and his descendants forever! Therefore, He spoke in time and space the sentiments of His heart, and thus, we have seen and experienced the performance of that word which builds our faith in every word which He has spoken. Paul teaches us, that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” (Hebrews 6:19).Our history with God through faith in Jesus Christ is intertwined withthis Jewish remnant’s history and gives us unwavering assurance of His commitment to us also! As He has been faithful to His remnant for centuries, He will be faithful to us till the end—He does not change! What He has promised, He will bring to pass. What He has written is for our spiritual education that we through the perseverance and comfort of the scriptures might have an expectation and hope of God’s eternal and unchanging faithfulness. This hope and expectation is an anchor that holds us in place through every storm of life; though tried and buffeted by countless storms, this hope and reliance on Jesus Christ has kept both the remnant and us and is that anchor of the soul that is sure and steadfast for all eternity!