Verse: Romans 8: 37-39
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.
Devotion
In this letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul knows that they are suffering and persecuted and wants to encourage them. He starts before these three verses by saying in verse 35, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
We may not be able to identify with the Christians in Rome who were facing famine or execution by the sword, but we certainly have our share of trouble and hardship and possibly danger in today’s world. How do you deal with that?
I realized at the end of the day yesterday that I left my front door unlocked all day. Not a big deal. Many years ago that was normal. But now, with all the scary things on the news, we tend to lock things up. So I gave thanks to God at the end of the day that He kept me safe. That’s really something I should do every day.
But Paul says, in light of all the forces of darkness that are out there, we are “more than conquerors!” We have overcome all these problems “through him (Jesus) who loved us.” Jesus loved us so much that he died for us. The Son of God died so that we would live with him forever. So these problems are real problems, for a time, but they cannot hold us down forever. Also Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to guide us while we are here on earth. We have power to overcome with prayer and with the Holy Spirit’s leading.
God’s love provides for us now and forever. And his love can never be taken from us. Paul lists a long list of major forces to dramatize the fact that nothing can “separate us from the love of God.”
Does it help you in your troubles today at home or at work to know that God sees you and he wants to be with you to help you through these troubles? Does it give you peace and comfort to know that God is for you and he loves you deeply? Does it help to realize that, no matter if you do fall short, God will always love you? Let these truths strengthen you today as you spend time with others. Let God’s love enter you in the places that are hurting and pour out of you to others.
Prayer
Lord, thank you for your love that is there for us forever. Help us to live our lives in a way that reflects a deep acceptance of your love.
Author: Brad Dunn
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