For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Today's verse and John 3:16 are among the most powerful written expressions of God's love. The Epistle to the Romans was written some twenty years after Paul's conversion. Though written before his second letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 11:24-31) that lists his sufferings, we can assume that many of those hardships influenced the faithful, heartfelt certainty of Paul's conviction expressed in these verses.
Like Paul, our walk is sometimes not easy and sometimes downright brutal, but we can remain secure in the knowledge of God's love. Thanks to His gracious gift of the Holy Spirit, He has occupied our souls.
Everything we experience, life or death, natural or supernatural events, where we are now or those things yet to come, rulers of earth or hell, the tallest mountain or the deepest abyss, or anything else we can imagine can separate us from His unfailing love. God is with us in every situation the whole way; of that, we can be confident.
Father God, we give you thanks for the enormity of your love. We give thanks for your sending your Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit. We find solace in the certainty of the promise that nothing can separate us from you. Help us to remember this promise amid our times of trial and trust wholly in you to deliver us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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