21 Days of Prayer and Fasting

9

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor 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.” Romans 8:38-39

Chapter 8 of Romans is a powerhouse of truth about salvation.  It begins with ‘there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus”.  It ends with “ not anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  These are two incredible anchors of hope; I am no longer condemned and I will never be separated.

In a world of confusion and self serving actions, these two truths run counter to what we experience on a daily basis.  How many times will you or I be blamed for something we either have done or are perceived to have done?  Rightly or wrongly the voice of condemnation will call out.  How many times will you and I be betrayed, slandered, and cast off.  The most painful rejections will come from those we counted as friends and family.  The fear of separation will seep into our lives.

The pressure of the world is a constant echo of condemnation and I rejection.  This swirling eddy of negativity begins to shape us and conform us into the image of the world.  But these incredibly words of God shatter the clutch the world holds over me.  They remind me, not of who I was, but who I am.  They do not try to control me by threating to abandon me, but promise me a permanent place to be with God.

When the pressure to conform presses in, my fears begin to control my thoughts and actions.  I need God to clearly and loudly say to me, “you are not condemned in Jesus” and “nothing will separate you from Me”.  This is my hope.  This is my confidence.  This is what moves to me face the world and not be conformed but be transformed.

Prayer: Father God, I am in awe of Your love for me.  You are so great, and I am so small.  I am reminded with these words of Your love me.  I remind myself today that nothing can separate me from You and Your love.  There is nothing I can do to make You love me more and nothing I can do that will make You love me less.  You love me unconditionally.  The truth of Your words to me cause me to live confidently and peacefully knowing I belong to You.  Thank You for the forgiveness I have in Christ Jesus and for the security of my salvation.