The First 15

Wednesday July 21, 2021

by Don Scott

Opening Prayer

“Lord, help me to pause, help me to focus, help me to receive your word in a way that makes an impact on my day. Amen”

Scripture Reading

Romans 8:31-39

More Than Conquerors

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 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. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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.

Reflection

A famous Christian was once asked, “What is the greatest truth you know?” His reply was the words of the children’s song, “Jesus loves me this I know.”

Paul was sharing the same truth when he said, “I am convinced nothing can separate us from the love of God.” Nothing can happen, no choice we make, no force on Earth, in creation, or in heaven can separate us from the love of God. God never stops, never will stop loving us. But, are we convinced of this truth?

Here’s some hope. We have made poor choices and probably will make more, but God keeps loving us. Like the Prodigal Son, we can always go home because God is eternally waiting for us. Even in judgement, God loves us and we are never beyond that love!

Why not go to God right now? Receive his love at this moment. Nothing others do to us or subject us to can separate us from God’s love. As a friend of mine says of Revelation, “God wins!” We may lose the skirmishes, but the victory is the Lord’s.

Knowing and accepting this truth, how then shall we live?

Closing Prayer

Dear God, convinced of your love, may we love boldly as we have been loved. In Christ’s name, Amen.

The First 15

Sign up to receive an email notification whenever a new devotional is posted to The First 15.