Scripture:

Romans 9:

16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.

Observation:

You have heard the saying…“The road to hell…is paved with good intentions”
 
Here’s what it means:  “The road to hell is paved with good intentions” (proverb) says that sometimes we do the wrong thing even though we had intended to do the right thing; our actions have bad results instead of the good results that we had hoped for. Example: “Really, I never meant to hurt anybody…” Reply: “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”
 
If a person’s actions have bad results, yet they complain that their intentions were good, you might say, “The road to hell is paved with good intentions”.
 
What was true for Israel still remains true for us today.  God chose Israel out of his mercy…not based on their desire or their good works.  They had good intentions by keeping the law.  But it was this strict adherence to the law that would drive a wedge between them and God.  Good intentions?  Sure.  Bad result.  Definitely.

Application:

There’s not enough desire, good works, or good intentions in the world that could get us to eternal life in heaven.  What exactly would mercy be if we could earn it?  It would be cheap…actually it would be worthless.  So take a close look at your life today.  How are you still trying to earn God’s favor?  What are you still doing to win his mercy?
 
He’s already chosen to offer it through his son Jesus.  Stop trying to reach God on your own desire or merit.  He has already reached down to you through his mercy.

Prayer:

God reveal the ways that I still seek to earn your favor.  Help me to lay them down at your feet…fully resting in your tender mercy.  I pray in Jesus name, Amen.