Wednesday July 8, 2020

Romans 8:31-39

31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Understanding the depths of God’s love for us is hard for our human brains to grasp. It is much deeper and stronger than we can comprehend. We must try to believe it as truth, nonetheless. If we desire to experience the full life, we need to settle this issue in our soul. It’s true. God loves you. Everything God does is an expression of that love. Nothing can tear us from God. Nothing. Paul puts it plainly, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Paul tells us, and I believe, that the love found in Christ never leaves us. But we often drift away ourselves. If God’s love is always there, and nothing can separate it from us, what are we doing that makes us forget that. What sort of thinking allows us to assume God has left us? What is it that holds us hostage in our own minds? And how do we overcome that?

We often need reminders that God is with us, especially during difficult times. I suggest you memorize these verses. Write a statement to yourself that explains how much God loves you. Describe the depth and magnitude of that love. Perhaps rewrite the verse above inserting the names of your own “demons” and “powers.”

When you look at that verse, do any of those potential “separations” stand out to you? Is it the future that worries you? Are there “demons” that keep you from connecting to the love of God?

Lord, I pray that I become rooted and established in your love. Together with all of God’s people, may I grasp how wide and long and high and deep your love is. Please fill me to the measure of all the fullness of God. May I share that love with others. In Jesus name, Amen.