Romans 8: 28-39 - Some
of you are engineers. While some of you are draftsmen and accountants and
bookkeepers. Many of you are farmers. While some of you are machinists or work
in the medical field. Some of you may be students studying the sciences. In
your world mathematical formulas are extremely important. Facts and figures
make sense to you!
There is symmetry to the Scriptures…
The heart of Psalm 23 is the phrase, "For Thou art with me." There are
exactly 26 Hebrew words before that phrase. And 26 words after it.
What's more, the numerical value of the letters in the
divine name, “Yahweh,” equals 26. His
name is the first Hebrew word in the psalm, and He is the "Thou" who is "with me."
The abiding presence of the Good Shepherd with
us--when we're in the valley of the shadow of death, or surrounded by
enemies--is the beating heart of psalm 23.[1]
We have now come to the crown jewel of St. Paul’s
letter to the Romans. By these words you know the Father’s continual goodness.
The Father’s love will not let you go. “…no
powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be
able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” V. 39
Nothing in the universe can separate us from the love of God. It is impossible.
Because on the cross Christ defeated all evil powers. In Christ you conquer.
What does it mean to be separated from the love of God? Sin is separation from
God. To be apart from God is to be deprived of God’s light, life, and love.
Separation is the worst possible experience. This, then, constitutes good news.
No suffering or evil power can separate you from the love of God.
Satan lacks the power to steal your eternal destiny. He cannot separate you from the love of God. Nothing you face worries God in the least. If you are His children through faith in His Son, then you have His pledge of love and protection.
Jesus said, "My
sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal
life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My
Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of my Father’s hand." - John 10:27–29
You are loved. “This
is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the
world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that
we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for
our sins.” - 1 John 4:8-10
You are forever in Christ’s care. In baptism, you are
sealed with the Holy Spirit and marked as Christ’s own forever. In baptism, the
Father claims you as His own children. And tells you that you are loved. You are joined with the family of faith, the
Church, the Body of Christ. As you are incorporated into the life and the
mission of Christ’s work in the world
“Almighty and
everlasting God, give us an increase of faith, hope and love, that, receiving
what You have promised, we may love what You have commanded; through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.” Amen[2]
[1] Blog
post from Chad Bird posted July 26, 2017
[2] Collect
for Proper 12, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St.
Louis.
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