DCLM Daily Manna 21 May 2026: Two Sides of God
KEY VERSE
“Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off” (Romans 11:22).
BIBLE READING: Romans 11:17-32
17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again.
24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
28 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sakes.
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
32 For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
READ OTHER DCLM DAILY DEVOTIONAL HERE
In 1998, Don Moen produced his hit song, God is Good, All the Time which has become a catchphrase for Christians. The goodness of God is emphasised in the Bible. The psalmist says, ‘O taste and see that the Lord is good’. 1 Chronicles 16:34 says, “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever”. If the goodness and mercies of God endure forever, does this imply that God has no room for discipline and judgment?
He does; therefore in our text, Apostle Paul warned the Gentiles not to take the goodness of God for granted by recalling the calamity that befell the children of Israel. The aim was to discourage them from gloating over Israel and become wise in their own conceits. He said the same fate would befall them if they behaved the same way. The passage today exposes the error in the doctrine of unconditional eternal security.
Today, believers must remember that our security is also conditional. Prosperity preachers emphasise the mercy and goodness of God but hardly warn their congregation of the danger of hell and the imminent judgment of God. The goodness of God may be as high as the heavens, and His love may be as deep as the deepest ocean. His justice demands punishment for those who rebel against His authority and disobey His laws. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of man, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” These are those who forget that, “our God is a consuming fire.”
Let us always remember the warning that, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” The hands that fed the children of Israel with manna in the wilderness also punished them for their iniquities. Therefore, as you enjoy the goodness of God, beware not to incur His wrath. Steer clear of sin.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
The justice of God is a coin with two sides: reward and retribution
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ruth 1-2
DCLM Daily Manna 21 May 2026
