Inseparable from God's Love

Romans 8:31-39

Before we even begin to read one of the most amazing passages of Scripture, just ponder for a moment, the fact that God has poured out his love upon us and nothing can separate us from it. God's amazing love!

Paul is the author of this letter where we find a beautiful articulation of our status, inseparable from the love of God. He explains this in a series of questions that he postulates, then answers soundly.

READ Romans 8:31-39

The wonderful things referred to in verse 31, are many! First, that we have in us the Holy Spirit who prays for us; second, that the Father knows what our hearts are feeling; third, the Spirit expresses prayers to God that are in harmony with God's will; that God makes everything work out our good and according to His purpose; that God knew His children before they were born in time; that He chose us; that He called us to Himself; He declared us righteous, without sin; and promised us His glory. Wow! So many good things! Paul comments that with such a life as a Christian we can be sure that God is on our side, and who can ever stand up to Him!

In verse 32 we find how lavishly God has sacrificed for our benefit. He gave Jesus to demonstrate how much He gives.
In verses 33 and 34 we learn that we do not have to be afraid of the judgment of God because he has reconciled us to Him and Jesus Christ sits next to Him to present our defense in Him.

In verses 35-39 Paul begins his discourse on the love of God asking, what can separate us from Christ's love? He draws a picture of reasons a person might say that God does not love us... some kind of trouble, like being hungry, cold, poor, persecuted, threatened by death... but Paul affirms that we who are in Christ have victory over this temptation to doubt God's love, because nothing can separate us from His love! How powerful is His love! What a list of things that His love overcomes! death, life, angels, demons, fears for today, worries for tomorrow, even the powers of hell can't keep away God's love! not any great distance, nor anything in creation can separate us from the love of God, revealed in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

God is calling you to Himself. He wants to declare you righteous and one of His beloved children in Christ. Be in Christ, by confessing to him that you are a sinner, by telling him that you believe he died for us and rose again proving that He is God and has conquered death. Ask him for His forgiveness, experience peace with God, and know once and for all that nothing can ever separate you from His love.

The Ministry of God's Presence

Psalm 42

The author of psalm 42 has experienced exile and writes how he misses his homeland, the land of YHWH.

READ Psalm 42:1-4

He describes his thirst for God and recalls how he used to lead his fellow people to the house of God with great celebration for an awesome encounter with God.

In contrast, he finds himself currently in despair, taken from his homeland, and he feels far from God.

READ Psalm 42:5-8

The author reflects on his sorrowful discouragement and finds hope in God's presence. He recalls a second memory from his homeland -- the sound and the feeling of the springs that pour out of Mount Hermon and go to form the Jordan River. These memories of his homeland help him recall the God he worshiped there. He senses the Lord's presence in two ways: as lovingkindness by day and a song by night.

How wonderful and comforting are memories that bring us near to what we miss and can bring us close to God.

READ Psalm 42:9-11

Because of oppression and homesickness, He again despairs, but finds hope in God. Sometimes we may feel discouraged, longing for our home where we grew up, raised a family, old friends, the church we attended many years. Sometimes we feel like God is far away and has forgotten us. But he hasn't! Remember Jesus' words he promised his followers, "I am with you always -- even to the end of the this age." and in Hebrews 13, the promise "I will never leave you or forsake you." If you are Jesus' follower and hope in God, you will know He is with you!

Furthermore, we have heaven to look forward to, a real, permanent home where we can encounter God face to face! Hope also in this promise of eternity in Heaven!