July 12
I Chronicles 27-29
Psalm 79:9-13
Proverbs 17:23-24
Romans 8:18-39
More than Conquerors
“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. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us who can be against us? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present or 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 8:28, 31, 37-39 NIV
There are so many amazing verses in this chapter I had a hard time deciding which ones to focus on. These verses are some of the most encouraging in all scripture. Verse 28 explains to us that in all things God is working on our behalf to bring about good. It does not say that we will never experience anything bad and that we will always only face good things in our lives. What it says is that no matter what we face, good and bad, God is always working on our behalf to bring about good. Sometimes He allows us to face difficulties to prepare us for things to come or to bring about a greater purpose. His goal for us is not to give us an easy life. His goal is to conform us into the image of Christ. Growth rarely happens during times of ease and comfort. But we can be assured that He is always at work on our behalf. When I am going through difficulty, somehow it is easier to deal with if I know there is a purpose. Knowing God is working through my pain makes it more bearable.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” We have nothing to fear. The Creator of the universe is taking care of us. The One who made everything is on our side. No matter what we face, we can know that we are not just conquerors, we are more than conquerors. Nothing can separate us from the love of God. The beginning of chapter 8 discusses our eternal security. Since we know that our future is secure, we can be confident that no matter what happens to us in this life, nothing can separate us from God. “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in Hell.” Matthew 10:28 (NIV)
I am a huge football fan and I love to watch any football game, especially Auburn football. I love the thrill of the game, the tense moments when you aren’t sure if they will pull out a win, and the feeling of exhilaration when they do. As an Auburn fan, I am also well acquainted with the taste of defeat. I think that is what makes the victories sweeter. Having been through the games that were so close when they didn’t pull out a win makes you appreciate even more the ones when they do. My son-in-law loves to watch football, too. He is a huge Vanderbilt fan, but he is a little different from me. I like to watch games to find out the ending. I’m not into watching games that are being replayed. If I know the ending, it just isn’t as much fun. I like the suspense, anxiety, and uncertainty. He likes to study the game. He will watch games over and over to figure out the plays and study the players, their tendencies, what makes them good, and their weaknesses. I don’t care about all of that. I just want the thrill of the game. That suspense and excitement is great for football, but I am grateful I don’t have to experience that about my eternal destiny. I don’t have to worry that it will be a close call and if I mess up, I might not make it into Heaven. I don’t have the anxiety and fear that if I don’t do everything just right and execute the last play well that I am going to blow it and not make it in. I know the ending. I know my eternal destiny. Romans 8 gives me great peace that no matter what this life holds for me, one day I will be with my Savior in Heaven. He has gone to prepare a place for me, and He is waiting there for me to join Him. Knowing the end gives me the confidence and hope to face life now with peace.
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