Brief Devotions For Busy Lives" by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson: Romans 8:38-39

 March 25

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." -Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)

These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, and even death. These may sometimes cause us to fear for our very lives or even feel we may have been abandoned by God. But Paul, in his letter to the Romans, assures us it is impossible to be separated from Jesus. Christ's death for us on the cross is proof of his unconquerable love. Nothing can separate us from Christ's presence. Paul tells us how great God's love is in Christ Jesus so that we will not be trapped in fear and can claim our totally security in the Lord. If we believe these absolute assurances, we need not be afraid of anything including the past, the future, things above and below, and principalities and powers. While principalities involve the spiritual forces of darkness in this present world, powers are unseen forces of evil in the universe such as Satan and his fallen angels. Yet as we draw closer to Christ we are surrounded and protected by God's legions of angels.

In Christ we are super-conquerors! God's love will protect us from being overcome by any powers or threats. We can then live without fear in all situations knowing death is not the end of our story! When Christ returns, all believers, both dead and alive, will be reunited, never to suffer or die again. Remember that no matter what happens, nothing can divide you from God's protection in this life or the afterlife!

Prayer: God of all Power, remove my fears. Thank you for the victory you offer through Christ my Lord. Amen.

Meditation For The Day: God will give you victory over any enemy even death.

Brief Devotions For Busy Lives: Daily Spring Renewal Paperback – February 21, 2017, by Rev. Dr. Mary Johnson (Author)