If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
Good Morning Friends,
I am convinced that the Lord wants serenity between His follows as well as in them. This harmony in the Lord between the members of the Body of Christ is the spirit of team work. So cheer each other on as God encourages you. Friends, when we believe in a God that loves us, and that love in us is reflected though us and known by others, it is a winning combination. With that in mind, even as the scripture we are reading reads us, we ask another question. If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
Scripture: If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 28We know that all things work together for good* for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:27-28 (NRSV)
Message: Paul in the writing of his letter to the Romans conveys a compelling argument of optimism and an assurance of victory for those called to God’s purpose. He encourages an attitude that we as believers in Christ should be more than conquerors in all things. Here he gives the answer to the question in Romans 8:31 even before it is asked. But this answer in Romans 8:28 poses another question about the purpose of God. So a lot of people still worry about the world going to hell. They as we, have not fully grasped all there is to know of the compelling purpose of God. We are too nearsighted to see. We are too filled up with our own ideas to clearly see God’s goal. In so many ways we are not really aware of what God is doing going forward but when we look at the unalterable evidence of what God has already done, the continuation of His purpose in us seems assured. Sure we should prepare but we should also believe that Jesus has given us a promise we can count on even in the midst of trials and tribulations…in fact, especially in life’s storms we need to believe that He will deliver. When we get into the really good news of our assurance of salvation we see that God protects us, provides for us, purifies us, prays for us and preserves us. Friends, when we realize that God is really on our side, the fears that sometimes fill our lives will melt away. God is bigger than the battle lines. Friends, rejoice this day, it is the best day ever…it is today and you are hearing the Good News about being a Christian. Choose this day whom you will serve. Embrace God’s unconditional love. Follow the Lord’s command that we not be anxious about anything. Allow the Lord’s peace to guard our hearts and minds. Know that obedience leads to peace. Know a love that is the selfless service of brothers and sisters fulfilling of the law of Christ. Believe in a love that knows that God is for us. Be a witness to that love and the unity it brings. Fear, pain, suffering, the sword, nothing can separate us from God because Jesus is, this very moment, interceding in our behalf, turning our sorrow into joy. Friends even in our suffering…especially in our suffering… God is preparing us for our inheritance and for that we must rely on grace.
Pray today for our nation but know that earthly kings and leaders come and go. Pray for those facing trials and tribulations….pray for those facing death today. Pray that we realize that God is both the creator of this world and its history. Pray we look with astonishment realizing that there are a lot of things we can only leave to God. Pray we not sicken ourselves over those things we have no control. Pray we realize that beneath it all …beside it all…before it all…above it all, God is good. Pray that regardless of what the news brings today we realize that our joy in Christ is evidence that we serve a Loving God. Pray that we will be known as Christians because of our love. Pray that our unity grow. Pray that we are thankful. Pray that we dwell on the positive. Pray we are obedient to God’s word. Pray we find peace on the journey. Pray we discover that God is for us. Pray that we truly believe that no one can defeat us if we truly love God and have been chosen for His purpose. Pray we are encouraged by today’s question and its answer.
Pray, for the love of God; pray that we realize that God loves us unconditionally…just as we are. Pray that we realize that He does not love us any less because of our suffering. Pray that we realize that the conquest is complete. Pray we realize that we do not have to fight it; we just have to rule it. Pray we learn to pray for development not just deliverance. Pray we learn to pray with the Holy Spirit who knows the perfect will of the Father. Pray we find peace and fulfillment in Christ.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 