Romans 8:35-39 - Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or
sword? As it is written, "For Your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are
regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through Him who loved us. 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.
These days we've all had to experience some type of disconnect from people
and places. Whether it's a separation from the work place or from the classroom
or from friends and family, it's been an ordeal, to say the least. For many there's
been the very difficult situation of being apart from loved ones who are sick.
We've likely all seen the poignant images of individuals keeping their distance
and looking in on a family member or friend through a window—so as not to
potentially spread any disease or get it from someone else.
For believers, separation from others in the family of faith has its own difficulties,
too. We draw special strength from gathering together in the Name of Jesus (see
1 Thessalonians 5:10-11; Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 3:16). In the Apostles'
Creed, we speak of "the holy Christian church, the communion of saints," which
gives us spiritual uplift and fellowship with one another. And you may have
noticed in your own life how the recent suspension of church services has
impacted your faith in some ways.
How good it is to know that there is nothing that can come between Jesus and
His love for us. Whatever life brings our way—trials, persecution, a worldwide
virus—we are secure in God's embracing and unchangeable love for His
creatures. He has made that plainly known to us by sending His Son to save us
from our sins. Jesus came specifically to bridge the distance that separated us
from God. Having taken on our flesh and blood, God entered our world for the
sole purpose of bringing us back to Him so that, never again, will we be
separated from Him.
As you continue to deal with the persistent threat of this virus, lay hold of the
riches God has given to us. He has reconciled us to Himself (see 2 Corinthians
5:18); He has given us all things we need to live a godly life (see 2 Peter 1:3);
and He promises to be with us always (see Hebrews 13:5). These are the things
He has done for us, His children, people who can in no way be separated from
the God who loves them.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, remind us by Your Holy Spirit that we are firmly
in Your hands. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.