To Encourage You

Romans 8:37-39 “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.”

There is nothing that is in the believer’s life now – nor anything that will happen in the future, that will separate him or her from the love of God. No matter what things are happening right now, i.e., “things present,” no matter how difficult they may be, are happening to a believer because he or she is no longer loved by God.  No present circumstances, no present people, not even present sins, can separate a believer from the love of God.

You see, God’s love isn’t fickle. It’s not here today and gone tomorrow. It’s not dependent on how we act, or how we react. It’s not based on our behavior, emotions, or anything else. The “things present” that the verse above is talking about means all things present, no matter what.  Perhaps some difficult thing has happened to us – perhaps some sickness, or some failure of some type. Perhaps someone who we thought loved us has deserted or even betrayed us, or perhaps a close friend of family member has died and it’s left us feeling all alone or unloved. In spite of anything presently happening to us, God most certainly loves us. In fact, it may be that the difficult things happening right now are because God loves us.  Perhaps it’s the discipline of a loving father, “For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives” (Hebrews 2:6).

But what about the things to come? Are you feeling a fear of the unknown, some anxiety about what’s coming around the next bend? You need not fear the future, because the God who loves you now has promised to love you forever, for He never changes (Hebrews 13:8). You can be certain that “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Our time is in God’s hands, and about that time He has made this promise: “The Lord will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore” (Psalm 121:7-8).  

God’s love, it’s one of the most wonderful constants in the believer’s life. What an awesome truth in this ever-changing world.