ESOCS Devotional 2 July 2021
TEXT: ROMANS 8:8-39
MEMORY VERSE: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35 KJV).
Paul wrote this to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years later, his hypothetical situations turned into painful realities (Romans 8:36; Psalm 44:22). Believers have always faced hardships in many forms: hatred, illness, imprisonment, principalities, powers, torture, famine, religious persecutions, etc. These cause them to fear that God has abandoned them. But in Roman 8:37-39, we read of the most comforting promises of God – His Love Par Excellence.
“Principalities” and “powers” are unseen forces of evil in the universe, forces like Satan and his fallen angels (Ephesians 6:12). Today, we face distress, hunger, diseases, persecution, hatred, wars, etc. Also, principalities and powers are still at work causing the faith of many to wax cold. But Paul explained that nothing can stop God’s constant presence with us. What lessons can we learn from our passage?
First, it confirms God’s profound love for us. Again, no matter where we are or what is happening to us, we can never be lost to His love. When suffering comes, it should not drive us away from God but help us to identify with Him. Furthermore, in Christ we are super-conquerors. We are also safe in His arms from evil forces. The passage also gives believers divine hope and assurances.
One thing is sure – perilous times in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1); but we are to rejoice in it (Romans 5:3a), knowing that nothing can separate us from His love [Roman 8:39]. He has made us conquerors. This is Love Par Excellence!
- Is your faith and belief in God challenged and waxing cold because of perilous times?
- List these challenges, present them to God in prayers to help you conquer. Believe it is done.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Psalm 34:19; Matthew 5:11; 24:4-13; Romans 5:3-5
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ESOCS Devotional 2 July 2021