September 28, 2023

What then shall we say 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 with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

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

 

Romans 8:31–39 

Devotional

Can you imagine living with the mindset that even if the entire world were against you, it wouldn’t matter because God was for you? This may be hard to imagine, but it is a truth promised to us. All can rise against you and even try and tear you down, yet despite that, God is for you, which should bring you great comfort. This truth has the power to instill great confidence in the way we live and think because it means the creator of the universe is in your corner and with you.

 

I played football in high school so I can imagine members of a football team playing their hearts out, yet with each play, the crowd boos, and the referees continue to make calls against them that are not fair. Yet, in the midst of this, I picture one fan rooting and cheering for the team with such passion and heart it can be felt throughout the stadium. This is what I envision with God. I imagine that when those around us are against us and even want us to fail and fall, God is the one who lifts us and continues to root and cheer us on. I imagine that when those around us want to tear us down, God is there to lift us up because that is who He is. He is for us!

 

Paul goes further to drive this point home when he states nothing, absolutely nothing, can separate us from the love of God. Nothing! Not even our shortcomings or mess-ups. He still loves us all the same. One scholar says this about God’s love: “We cannot know the love of God apart from Christ. The cross, and only the cross, shows what real, divine love is.” God didn’t spare His son; he gave Him up for us so we might live. He has been for us even before we were born.

For Reflection

Where might you need to be reminded that he is for you?

 

Have you experienced God’s love lately? Why or why not?

 

Consider this week meditating on verses that remind you of His love for you.

Prayer


Lord, what an incredible gift that you, in all your power and glory, are for us and that you are rooting for us each and every step along the way. What a gift and comfort knowing this. Thank you for your great love for us. Remind us this week that we are your beloved sons and daughters and that you are our good father who cheers us, guides us, and encourage us this week. Amen.

Rev. Cody Jensen
Pastor for Become
404-842-3158