Scripture:
Romans 8:26-39 NKJV
[26] Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. [27] Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. [30] Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? [33] Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? [36] As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” [37] Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. [38] For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, [39] nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Observation:
When I started studying the Bible years ago, the book of Romans was one of the first I tried to tackle. Although it was not the easiest book to understand as a new believer, GOD revealed a lot of things to me through it, and because of that it has remained one of my favorite books in the Bible. As I was reading over the weekend I came across these verses. Although I have been able to read through the Bible several times, the LORD never stops revealing HIMSELF to me. The relationship we have just grows deeper and deeper. When I was praying this morning over what to dive into these verses kept coming back to my thoughts. So I’m going to do my best to dive in. The book of Romans honestly spells out the plan of salvation. Paul’s explanation of grace, the spiritual battles we face, and the way that GOD has drawn us to HIM are all explained right here. I would love to have time to dive all the way into what has been presented here. But I honestly only have about 2 hrs to put these together, so I will have to give an overview of some of it. I love you way that we start out though, in verse 26, Paul says we need help praying, because we are not even sure what to pray for, so the Holy Spirit steps in and searches our hearts. HE intercedes for us so that GOD’S will is what becomes our desire. The very first time I read through this book verse 28 stuck out to me. The two verses that followed made it a little cloudy, but over the years GOD has revealed more and more to me. Verse 28 gave purpose for my pain. The thing is 29 and 30 did also but the word predestined seemed to make it a little difficult to understand. What I have come to realize is that GOD knows exactly what it’s going to take to get us to look up. That’s what Paul is saying. He is explaining to the Romans that everything that has happened in their lives has a higher purpose. It’s perfecting their faith, drawing them closer and closer to the LORD, HE has called them and will use everything that happens to shape and conform them. Moving forward due to time restraints. My desire is to encourage you this morning. By the time you finish reading I want us all to look at our lives and see how the LORD has guided every step to right where we are. So looking at verse 31 is going to be a cornerstone to that point. What Paul is saying is nothing can stop GOD, HE is for us, and because HE is for us no one can stand against us. Paul explains that you can not stop a GOD who will stop at nothing, not even swearing HIS own SON to get and hold our attention. I love the word justified. Its meaning is so deep, and the way it’s used here needs to be brought out, it’s meaning here is…. JUST AS IF I’D NEVER SINNED. GOD has justified those whom HE has called. Now that’s not so that we can continue to just go ahead and sin, doing whatever we want, but it doesn’t make us perfect people either. The sanctification process is still taking place. That’s why verses 34 through 36 are in place. Paul is saying that once you are sealed it’s over. Jesus Christ says at the right hand of the Father interceding for those whom GOD has called. Nothing can change that. So lets just take a look, at the beginning of this SOAP we see the Holy Spirit interceding in our prayers and now we see Jesus interceding to the Father on our behalf. I have always found verse 37 to be very empowering, and honestly I’m not sure I can give it the justice it deserves, so I will just put it out there exactly how it is written, “Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through HIM who loved us.” Man I could take off right there but I will wait because the application process is coming. Reading that not one thing can separate us from the Father not one thing. The cornerstone being our relationship with Christ.
Application:
Have you ever had life just jar you in such a way that it’s hard to understand how GOD can be inside of that situation. I’m sure I’m not the only one. I have had the carpet pulled out from under me, leaving me flat on my back. But as the years have gone by I have discovered that’s an amazing opportunity to look up. I know it’s hard to see GOD in the life shaking moment, but HE is there. Looking back at the book of Daniel, we see one who looks like the sun of man standing in the fire with three Hebrew boys, shaping the faith of a nation. GOD is inside everything you go though and HE is using it all for HIS glory. You see HE did not design us to give up, HE called us to look up. Once we know that GE is for us we can see how every moment that our faith is tested is designed to draw us closer to HIM. My life has not been easy. But as I look back I can see the hand of GOD in all of it. Sometimes it’s hard when you’re right in the middle of the mess but HE is there, drawing you. HE knows exactly what it’s going to take to get you to look up, and will stop at nothing to get you to do so. But once you do… once you call out to HIM….. once you truly commit to HIM it’s over nothing can change that. Your name is engraved in the palm of HIS hand. It’s over. From that moment forward everything we face is designed to shape our faith, HE is perfecting us, conforming us, building us, sanctifying us, we are clay in the hands of the potter. The thing is when we don’t understand the reason for the pain it’s easy to question it. But I’m telling you that there is not one thing that has happened in your life that GOD will not use for HIS glory. I know it may be hard to see at times but I’m telling you… you are more than a conquer. Every challenge you have overcome, every battle that has been won, every tragedy that has not left you dead, are tools that the LORD is using to shape a warrior that is not scared of hell because they have walked through it and come out unharmed. I know from experience. My trials have shaped and strengthened my faith. Today because of what I have been through I know that GOD is for me, my hope is that you can see how HE has been with you every step of the way as well, HE has brought you to where you are. You are called by GOD, or you would not be reading this. So whatever you are facing, nothing for HIM, HE is for you and even though you may be uncomfortable right now HE has you right where HE wants you. LOOK UP.
Prayer:
Father, we see you, we see your hand in our lives, shaping us and molding us to be more like your SON. You are a good Father. The way you draw us to you is so amazing. It may not be comfortable but you know what it’s going to take for us to put you first. I personally never want you to be anything but first. Father, we love you. We absolutely need your guidance. So all we can ask is that you fill us with your Holy Spirit. We don’t even know what we truly need, but you do, so right now we are laying down our will, and asking you for yours. We need your will in our lives. We asked that you would expose the spiritual gifts that you have given us and show us how to operate in them. We truly surrender to what you have for us and ask that you would light the next step for us so we know how to proceed in our walk with you. Our heats are ready. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.