If God is for us, who can be against us?
~ Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)
Sometimes I allow circumstances to overwhelm me. Do you feel defeated or alone in facing some challenge? Perhaps it’s your—
- health
- marriage
- career
- finances
- parenting
- relationships
- habits
- abilities
- understanding
- energy
When our son was very young a painful rejection crushed him. I took the matter to God, and He brought these words to mind: If God is for us, who can be against us?
God didn’t tell me why He’d allowed this blow. But He assured me that He was for Brant.
When Brant asked why this happened, I told him I didn’t know. But God had assured me that He was for Brant and had allowed this for his good. Every time my heart ached for my son, I reminded myself God is for Brant.
Decades later, I still don’t know why Brant had to suffer that loss. I can’t say I’ve seen the benefit. But I believe God wouldn’t have allowed it unless it was for Brant’s good.
BLESSINGS
A story in the book of Numbers perfectly illustrates how God thwarts what comes against us. A king commissioned Balaam, a prophet, to curse Israel. But every time the prophet opened his mouth blessings instead of curses flowed on God’s people.
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” means we, like Old Testament Joseph, can say to whomever or whatever comes against us, “You intend to harm me, but God intends it for good” (See Genesis 50:20 NIV).
How do we know God is for us? Read the next verse.
“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?” ~ Romans 8:31-32 NIV
God has already given us His most precious gift. In the gift of Jesus, He has supplied everything we need.
FAITH
Romans 8:31-32 doesn’t mean people and problems won’t come against us. It means that since God is for us nothing can squash His good will for us. Faith in this promise creates a powerful buffer against life’s inevitable challenges.
What problem could be transformed by remembering God’s promise? My friend, ask God to make this promise real for you in 2018. In whatever you face affirm your faith and say, “God is for me.”
Question: How would you complete this phrase: Since God is for me I _________?
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