Romans 8:35-39 Who
will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or
sword? Just as it is written,
“For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death,
nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor
things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other
created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:12
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we
are persecuted, we endure it;
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
Ephesians 3:19 and
to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the
measure of all the fullness of God.
Life is continually changing. At times I tell myself that if
just a few pressing issues resolve, my days will be calmer. But as soon as
those problems are settled, a new challenge pops up. Even globally, we’re in a
constant state of flux. The economy rises and then spirals downward. Gas and
food prices increase. New conflicts flare up all the time. Since we live in a
fallen world, trouble is part of our reality. Life will never settle down to
the point that we can sail along with uninterrupted ease.
Thankfully, God guides believers through times of turbulence (Ps.
23). He is the Good Shepherd, who constantly abides with His world-weary lambs.
Jesus vowed to His disciples, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18).
And His promise was fulfilled in the person of the Holy Spirit, who was sent to
indwell and care for each of God’s followers. Paul poetically described the
Spirit as a seal placed around believers until they are called to their
heavenly home. In other words, He provides a protective barrier against evil
forces desiring to snatch us from God’s hand.
In the verses leading up to today’s reading, Paul described
his audience as the Lord’s children (Rom. 8:16). So let me be very clear that
the promise of a holy, protective presence is only for those who have received
Jesus Christ as Savior. No one’s life will always be calm. But believers are
assured of a Companion in the dark hours. You can be confident that God’s
goodness and love will surround you until you dwell in His house forever (Ps.
23:6).
No comments:
Post a Comment