Amazing God as this dear reader begins their day, let it be in You and Your love; as the day winds down may Your embrace strengthen and refresh them; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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. (New Revised Standard Version)
I take a certain medication that prompted my pharmacy to send me in the mail a detailed list of content, side-effects, and disclaimers. It came neatly in a regular sized envelope but it was folded. When I unfolded it it was bigger than a map of Texas! And the print was so small it could have contained all the words in the New Testament. But knowing me and others like me, on the side, it had in bigger, bolder print, a recap of the possible side effects, beginning with number one: This could cause another ailment that could kill you. Okay. Thank you. And then the list, in their opinion I believe, descending order: tired or listless, etc. Thank God I don't have any of those! What's the old saying, the cure is worse than the disease? Such has been the theme this week thus far: God is there when we need God the most. No matter the situation or problem if we allow each spiritual influence take root and sprout when we need God's blessing and help, it is there. For Paul he knew that sometimes we can no longer pray either because of weakness or weeping, but Paul understood the Holy Spirit's power to intercede for us. Paul also knew that sorts of things in life that can weaken us and it's in the midst of those things that God's love through Jesus Christ is the strongest.
What's your list today? It is a hardship? Something causing you distress? You're not getting along with someone at work? It seems your paycheck doesn't stretch far enough? God is with you! Then Paul adds the other list: Even if we face death or in the midst of life, Christ's love is there. Name anything you can and that thing will not separate you from Christ's precious and powerful love!
PRAYER: Loving God, You know the list of things that I face today in my own personal life. I turn them over to You and thank You for the presence and power of Your love. Never let me forget it. Let it be a blessing of strength for me. In Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
