January 20, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

Eternally Secure

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Opening Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that, on this Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, I can celebrate the eternal freedom I have in You.

Read Romans 8:18-39

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. [19] For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. [20] For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope [21] that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. [22] We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. [23] Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. [24] For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? [25] But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. [26] In the same way, 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. [27] And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. [28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [29] For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] 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. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] 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.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright &copy 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.&reg Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

Romans ch. 8 begins with “no condemnation” (1) and ends with “no separation” (39). What a wonderful promise to those who are by faith “in Christ Jesus.”

Paul says that we are to walk in step with the Spirit as we live by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25), and in these verses he explains that there will be difficult times to face. When I face suffering, I’m often tempted to moan and groan and wonder what the Lord is doing. Moaning is futile, but vs. 18-27 tell us of a kind of groaning which is filled with hope.

Paul describes creation groaning, using “frustration” (20), “bondage to decay” (21) and “pains of childbirth” (22) as words to describe this. But this groaning is temporary; one day, it will be turned to glory (18). Creation stands on tiptoe in eager excitement for liberation for itself as well as God’s people (19,21; Psa. 98:8 describes this joyful hope, also). Believers groan, too–but not in despair. We groan because we look forward to a completeness still to come, enjoying God’s glory in perfect resurrection bodies (23-25). The Spirit also groans, as we struggle to know exactly what to pray for (26), and the Spirit prays in perfect agreement with God’s will (27). We may struggle to know what to pray for, but the Spirit knows as he comes alongside us in our weakness, and puts our groaning into words that make sense to God.

Paul then wants us to celebrate God’s eternal commitment to believers. Note the many questions that Paul uses (31-36). He is forcing us to stop and consider the wonderful truth of the super-invincibility of the Christian. Who can be against us if God is for us (31)? Can anyone bring a charge (33)? Can I be separated from the love of Christ by any person or situation (35)? Pause and savor each wonderful reminder of God’s total commitment and grace to us in Christ.

Apply

Think of a difficult or confusing time in your life. Ask God to instill the wonder of these verses in you and make v. 28 your watchword.

Closing prayer

Mighty God, after reading this passage I’m, “… lost in wonder, love, and praise.” Thank You for all that’s mine in Christ, and I pray for power to walk in his victory.

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