Praise him – Day 14

In the last few daily devotions we looked at unavoidable suffering, hardship and persecution that happens to believers. It is not merely hardship for the sake of hardship, but holds the promise of spiritual growth and reward.

In Romans 8:19-21 Paul shows us the glory that both people and the whole of creation can look forward to once this earthly suffering is finally past. The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. You see, in our revelation, the creation itself will be freed from corruption and will also taste the freedom and the glory that the children of God will experience.

Paul focuses then on us who have received the Spirit:

We also groan as we wait for the day of our liberation and redemption, but we remain hopeful (Romans 8:23-25).

On days when we struggle to remain hopeful, God does not leave us on our own: “… the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26).

Despite the bad things that happen to us, we have the assurance that “… God works for the good of those who love him …” (Romans 8:28). How can it be otherwise? Those whom God has already chosen, he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). Furthermore, we are already justified and glorified (Romans 8:30).

Through a few searching questions and answers, Paul shows God’s unchanging and loving relationship with us:

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:31,33-34).

And then Paul touches the heart of God’s nature when he asks:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 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 8:35,38-39).

In short, in the face of trials and hardships, God’s love for you is steadfast! He is ready to reach out and help you!