For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 

Romans 9:15-16

Paul talks about God choosing whom He shows mercy to, which might sound like we don’t have a say in the matter. But what Paul is teaching is that salvation doesn’t start with us trying hard enough—it begins with God reaching out first. 

He’s not saying that God randomly picks who gets saved and who doesn’t. Instead, he’s reminding us that it’s all grace. We don’t earn it. We don’t climb our way into God’s favor. God takes the first step. Later in the chapter, Paul explains that people who believed by faith—trusting God—were the ones who found righteousness. Those who tried to prove themselves through effort missed it. 

So, God’s mercy isn’t about performance—it’s about relationships. He opens the door and invites us to walk through it. 

It’s easy to sit and wonder, “Am I really chosen?” especially when our faith feels so small. But maybe the better question is, “Am I responding to His mercy?” 

God’s mercy isn’t something we chase—it’s something we live in. Every time we feel pulled toward Him, every time we sense peace when we shouldn’t, or forgiveness when we least deserve it—that’s His mercy at work in us. We don’t need to have everything figured out. We have to keep saying yes to the One who chose us first. 

We can rest in that truth: our place in God’s story doesn’t depend on our perfection, but on His compassion. 

This week, let’s take a few minutes each day to spot one way God has shown you mercy—big or small. Maybe it’s a second chance, a comforting moment, or a bit of peace in chaos. Would you write it down or share it with a friend? Let it remind you: you are chosen by mercy, not by merit.