Verse of the Day 8/7

Through the Bible - Psalms 85-87, Romans 10

 

Good morning,

Yesterday's passage from Romans 8 in The Message paraphrase reminded us that we "no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud."  Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit can and has changed everything.  I'm sure that most if not all of us have gone through day's and longer periods where it felt like we were under such a continuous black cloud.  I know I've been there.  The Bible and in particular Romans 8 is one of the most precious books of the Bible for someone living "under a cloud".

 

Individual chapter and verse divisions were not part of the original manuscripts.  They were added centuries later.  Sometimes they break up a train of thought and we may miss something because of the break.  Personally, I feel that in Romans 8 it is fitting that it was divided this way.  Yesterday's verse (8:1) about there being "no condemnation" for those who are in Christ and today's verse from the end of the chapter give the chapter the perfect bookends.

 

Rom 8:1- There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.   NKJV
And today's verse:

Rom 8:38 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.    NKJV

In between these verses we have an example of "life in the Spirit".  All you have to do is consider the "all things" in verses which take us through the trials, joys, and truths in this life.

 

I've spent years of my life being brought back to this chapter.  From times of despair, hurt, and uncertainty when I didn't know how or if I could pray as in the days after my son Jeff's accident which left him with a traumatic brain injury and permanently disabled (in this life) when the following verses encouraged me.

 

Rom 8:26 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.   NKJV

I came back repeatedly for a couple of years trying to come to grips with Romans 8:28, one of the greatest truths of the Bible:

Rom 8:28 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.   NKJV

Looking back to Romans 5:8 when we were yet sinners Christ died for us helps me, encourages me because:

Rom 8:32 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?  NKJV

 

Looking back over this chapter you come to realize:

Rom 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.   NKJV

Rom 8:38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.   NLT

 

I read in today's Daily Bread devotional that Jesus said "follow me" 25 times in the New Testament.  It's what Romans 8 is about, it's what life in between verses 1 and 39 are about.

 

As I walk along life's pathway,

Though the way I cannot see,

I shall follow in Christ's footsteps,

For He has a plan for me.  - Thiesen, (also from today's Daily Bread.)

 

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
 http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV
Rom 8:31-9:1

 

Nothing Can Separate Us from God's Love

 

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.

 

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

 

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  NLT