God the great strategist

God the great strategist

S - Romans 8:28-40 (NASB)

²⁸ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. ²⁹ For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; ³⁰ and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He alsoglorified.
³¹  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.³⁵ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, orpersecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ³⁶ Just as it is written,

“ For Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

O - Paul here in these passages givse a sermon of which makes you want to stand up and say AMEN!   Romans in many ways is a letter of teaching and encouragement to a young church that is likely facing the same difficulties that cause us even today to become discouraged or even stray from our calling and lack confidence in the promises of God.    The theology (I am guessing at this definition) is made clear here that God is in control and for those who love him and are called by him will be supported.  Paul helps us to understand that though we will face trials and sufferings,  we cannot be separated from God who is good and faithful to us.  God's is truly a love that will never be changed.  So we are to walk in confidence that He is with us, confident of His love, and His knowledge, and His power.


A - The application for me is receive Paul's words of truth regarding God's promises and faithfulness.  The most encouraging of these is the confidence I can never be separated again from the love of God.  My validation and confirmation in Him is all I need to walk in confidence and joy in this world.   The reminder that the spirit of God just gave me is that I must remember he works all things together for good, and that though at times situations will not seem good,  I am to have confidence God is working,   his wisdom and timing and plan are better than my best thoughts and plans.  


P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your ways, and your good plan, and for your faithfulness.  May your word continue to be a lamp unto my feet, showing me your good way.   Thank you for these words of encouragement from the Apostle Paul, I pray for the courage and faith to walk in confidence of all that is written.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.