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 8:37-39
This morning, I continued my study of Romans. Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter twelve God is for Us, which covers Romans 8:31-39. My focus today is Romans 8:35-39, which my commentary refers to under the heading Who Can Separate Us. In Romans 8, we see momentum building with regards to Paul's assurances for believers - we are not condemned, there are no charges that can be brought against us, we are assured salvation, we are adopted into God's family and are heirs to His inheritance, we are released from the law, we have the Holy Spirit, etc. - and now as we get to the end of chapter 8, Paul asks rhetorically whether we can be separated from God's love (v35). He quotes Psalm 44:22, where the Psalmist seeks comfort from God during a period of exile (v36), and answers resoundingly "no" in v37-39. We should never doubt that God loves us - and during a period of trial this helps us see what God is doing in our lives - where the blessing is - as there is always a blessing. We may not see it unfold in the trial but we can now it is there - and of course we know that our Heavenly bodies await us. This is a great promise indeed!
My commentary sums it up nicely: "He does not promise us that life will be easy, but he promises to be with us. He promises that nothing will unfasten us from his love. He promises to take us to glory." We are pointed to Psalms 23:6, which my commentary refers to as "[t]he Romans 8:31-39 of the Old Testament."
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Comment and discuss this post here.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus - what an amazing promise and what an amazing God - Your promises are great and we can count on them all - as You are faithful! Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such a God or of how You bless me with Your promises. My sin of worry, anger, etc. continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
