"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 8:38-39
It has been said: "The only predictable thing about life is that life is unpredictable."
Unwelcome and unwanted surprises. Fractured romances and ruined friendships. Broken promises. A health crisis. Tax increases. Automotive accidents. Sudden unemployment. Crimes against law-abiding citizens. Snipers on college campuses.
Unpredictability rears its ugly head, despite our careful efforts to plan for every circumstance. Uncertainty fosters dread and despair as we wonder: 'When will the next catastrophe be thrust upon us?'
The apostle Paul lived in a world of uncertainty. He knew that really bad things could happen to him at any moment. In Acts 20:22-23, he told the Ephesian elders: "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me."
Nevertheless, Paul was certain that no matter what unhappy surprises might befall him, he was Divinely loved. Additionally, Paul was sure that "nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." The immediate us here were those saints Paul addressed throughout this epistle. But, the us also includes all true believers in Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of all who believe, in every era.
Nothing will separate us from this astonishing love. Nothing in the future will separate genuine, repentant children of God from the Heavenly Father. No assortment of tragedies and financial hardships and relational disasters will disconnect born-again Christians from the loving King Who died and rose for His people.
In a world of ruthless uncertainty, one thing is certain: People of faith in the Crucified and Risen Lord are permanently loved. If you abide in Jesus, you are loved with an unbreakable, supreme love. If you suffer for being a Christian, you are still loved. If you experience treachery from other people, you remain loved and saved by God.
When you feel overwhelmed with pain and grief, remember the words of George Matheson:
O Love that Wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
It has been said: "The only predictable thing about life is that life is unpredictable."
Unwelcome and unwanted surprises. Fractured romances and ruined friendships. Broken promises. A health crisis. Tax increases. Automotive accidents. Sudden unemployment. Crimes against law-abiding citizens. Snipers on college campuses.
Unpredictability rears its ugly head, despite our careful efforts to plan for every circumstance. Uncertainty fosters dread and despair as we wonder: 'When will the next catastrophe be thrust upon us?'
The apostle Paul lived in a world of uncertainty. He knew that really bad things could happen to him at any moment. In Acts 20:22-23, he told the Ephesian elders: "And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me."
Nevertheless, Paul was certain that no matter what unhappy surprises might befall him, he was Divinely loved. Additionally, Paul was sure that "nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." The immediate us here were those saints Paul addressed throughout this epistle. But, the us also includes all true believers in Jesus Christ. He is the Savior of all who believe, in every era.
Nothing will separate us from this astonishing love. Nothing in the future will separate genuine, repentant children of God from the Heavenly Father. No assortment of tragedies and financial hardships and relational disasters will disconnect born-again Christians from the loving King Who died and rose for His people.
In a world of ruthless uncertainty, one thing is certain: People of faith in the Crucified and Risen Lord are permanently loved. If you abide in Jesus, you are loved with an unbreakable, supreme love. If you suffer for being a Christian, you are still loved. If you experience treachery from other people, you remain loved and saved by God.
When you feel overwhelmed with pain and grief, remember the words of George Matheson:
O Love that Wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee
I give Thee back the life I owe, That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
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