Verse of the Day 8/21

Verse of the Day 8/21

Romans 8:31-32

English Standard Version

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 gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

In today's verse we have the second of the 3 "all things" statements in Romans 8.  The these things referred to at the beginning of verse 31 looks back on what was just said in the preceding verses. When we can come to a point in our lives where we have this kind of faith, we cannot be defeated.  God will give us everything that we need. 

Today, I'll post another quote that is longer than usual, but it speaks to me and explains better than I can what these verses mean to me , mean to us who believe.  John Piper writes:

The most far-reaching promise of God's future grace is found in Romans 8:32. This is the most precious verse in the Bible to me. Part of the reason is that the promise in it is so all-encompassing that it stands ready to help me at virtually every turn in my life and ministry. There never has been, and never will be, a circumstance in my life where this promise is irrelevant.

By itself that all-encompassing promise would probably not make the verse most precious. There are other such sweeping promises such as Psalm 84:11: "No good thing does [God] withhold from those who walk uprightly." And 1 Corinthians 3:21–23: "All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's." It is difficult to overstate the spectacular sweep and scope of these promises.

But what puts Romans 8:32 in a class by itself is the logic that gives rise to the promise and makes it as solid and unshakable as God's love for his infinitely admirable Son.

Romans 8:32 contains a foundation and guarantee that is so strong and so solid and so secure that there is absolutely no possibility that the promise could ever be broken. This is what makes it an ever-present strength in times of great turmoil. Whatever else gives way, whatever else disappoints, whatever else fails, this all-encompassing promise of future grace can never fail.

Romans 8:32 is a precious friend. The promise of God's future grace is simply overwhelming. But all-important is the foundation: I have called it the logic of heaven. Here is a place to stand against all obstacles. God did not spare his own Son! Therefore! Therefore! The logic of heaven! Therefore, how much more will he not spare any effort to give us all that Christ died to purchase — all things, all good, and all bad working for our good! John Piper

An old chorus that we sand in Sunday school comes to mind.  The second stanza was not part of the original, but I remember singing it this way.

I just keep trusting my Lord as I walk along,

I just keep trusting my Lord and He gives a song,

Though the storm clouds darken the sky o'er the heavenly trail,

I just keep trusting my Lord He will never fail.

He's a faithful friend, such a faithful friend;

I can count on Him to the very end.

Though the road grows weary at times and I'm sad and blue,

I just keep trusting my Lord, He will see me through.

Will you keep trusting, will you keep following?  God wants our yes, even when we don't know what will come next.  We are propelled towards God and by the truth of God in His Word. His plans may never be what we expect, but they will be God's.  Say yes, moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day and year by year to His plan, His mercy, His grace and His purposes.  He will see you through.

Blessings,

Mike

Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV

Romans 8:26-32

English Standard Version

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because[a] the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[b] for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

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 gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?