“If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 NLT.
There is too much worry, yet too little wonder of the love of God.
My thoughts and comments today are about “adversity.”
Ever have times when you felt like everything was working against you? Anyone might feel like that on some occasion. Be careful; you could easily begin feeling sorry for yourself, which is a major waste of time and emotion. Life is not always fair, and the winds of circumstance are not always favorable. Time and circumstance happen to one and all.
Your success in life does not depend upon the good fortune of favorable events. Everyone will have their share of laughter and tears; so will you! Tears are usually the result of troubling times and/or troublesome people. Be advised; Jesus warned that those experiences have the power to steal the word of God from your heart. Jesus called such moments, “tribulation and persecution.” Your well-being comes from successfully handling such times and people. Read Matthew 13:20-21 NIV.
When adversity – big or small – seems to beset you or opposition seems to array against you, ask yourself the same question Paul asked, “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?” Romans 8:31 NLT. The Bible does not promise an exemption from challenging times and cantankerous people. Those are the experiences about which Paul refers. Life is more about those who are for you, than those against you. And God is for you.
Paul asks some probing questions that expose the raw nerves, yet persevering faith, of a man that experienced the best and worst of everyday life. Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT/6:4-10 NKJV. In his letter to Christ-followers in Rome, he asks, “Who dares accuse us . . who then will condemn us . . who can separate us . . does it mean He no longer loves us?” Romans 8:33-35 NLT. Your answers are more critically important than any of your questions.
You may feel the sting of those who privately criticize your best efforts, while you fear that any adversity results from displeasing God, just as Job’s friends suggested of him. Or from those who wonder aloud if your pain or loneliness are symptoms of Heaven’s disapproval. Or maybe from the devil’s whispers that create doubts of God’s love. Such things waste time.
Here is Paul’s answer, and I hope it will be yours: “No, in spite of all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us. And I am convinced nothing can ever separate us from His love.” Romans 8:37-38 NLT. The Apostle Paul was establishing this simple truth: adversity or opposition do not indicate the displeasure of a God who is unchangeably and altogether for you. Rest safely and confidently in God’s care. There is too much worry, with too little wonder of the love of God. Read Ephesians 3:16-19 NIV.
My prayer for you today is that you find your rest and refuge in Christ alone.