Verse: Romans 5:9-11
9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Devotion
Let’s break down these verses together. Verse 9 states that we have been justified by His blood, thus saved from wrath. This is referring to Jesus dying in our place. We are justified by His work, bought with His blood. His blood paid the price for our sins so that we might be saved from the wrath we deserved from God for our sin. Verse ten states that while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God. We were separated from Him because of our sin, making us enemies. But, in His goodness and grace, He showed perfect love and still sacrificed His son for us while we were far from Him. Now that we are reconciled to Him, bought with the blood of Jesus, we are no longer His enemy but can have relationship with Him. He is deeply loving and involved in our lives right now. Verse 11 adds to this even more, stating that not only are we welcomed into the family of God and saved from our sin, but we can find our joy and hope in Him. He is everlasting and unchanging, walking with us every step of the way. Everything we do is through Jesus alone.

Just let that sink in for a moment. I know you’ve probably heard this before, but really sit with it and think about what it means. Here’s what it means to me- God saw me in my desperation and brokenness. He saw me drowning in depression and anxiety. He saw me- hopeless and determined to fill my life with anything that could make me feel something, no matter how harmful it was to me. He looked at me, my ugliest sin on full display, and still chose me. He didn’t leave me where I was, alone and broken. He fought for me. He came after me again and again, until I could clearly see His face. He held tight and didn’t let me go until I had no choice to see Him. He held me tight until I could see that He is a good, loving, just, and present Father. He held tight, and never let go. Despite seasons of closeness and feeling far, He has never let me go. I bring nothing to the table, but He chose me anyway. He saved me from my brokenness and depravity. He set my hope on a Kingdom perspective and refuses to let me lose sight of the horizon, no matter how dark and stormy it gets. Sit with it today, friend. What did He rescue you from? How does He continue to hold you tight? What is He walking alongside you in right now? You are never alone. He promises to be with us unto the ends of the earth. He sees you, and still chooses you. Settle into how profound that is and spend some time with it today.

Prayer:
Lord… I am so humbled and awed by you. Help me to be still and sit with this truth today. Thank you for this reminder. Thank you for always bringing me back here. Thank you for seeing me and not leaving me where I was. Lord, help me to see myself clearly today. Help me to see You woven into every part of my story. Draw me near today, help me to not forget that you are walking alongside me, every step of the way. Remind my heart that my hope is found in You and You alone Lord. We love you, amen

Author: Becca Artymenko