What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare His own Son but offered Him up for us all; how will He not also with Him grant everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the One who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He is also at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: Because of You we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are mo victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! Romans 8:31-39 HCSB
I used to be confused and frightened when I started reading the book of Revelation. Several years ago our pastor did a study on the book of Revelation. This study lasted for 29 weeks. It was a very intensive study and I learned that actually this book is not so scary after all. When you read the book of Revelation, you learn that we win. My pastor used to love to say, “I read the end of the book and we win!”
We may go through hard times, but these hard times cannot separate us from the love of God. I have learned in my lifetime that the only thing that can put some space between me and God is me and my sin. Now that doesn’t separate me from God’s love, but the scripture tells us that when I sin that it separates me from God. Isaiah 59:2 tells us, But your iniquities have built barriers, between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen.
There is sin of commission, being the sins that we commit through our actions. There are sins of omission, being the ones that we commit when we fail to obey God’s commands. For example a sin of omission would be failing to love others as we love ourselves. When we fail to love others our actions can lead in to a sin of commission by sinning against that person.
Maybe you feel like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego walking around in a fiery furnace right now (Daniel 3:13-30). Maybe you have been faithful and you are suffering a great injustice. God is with you, He’s got this. Just stay strong in the faith and He will walk you through. You won’t even be burned nor will you smell like smoke. But maybe, you have allowed your sin to separate you from God. Maybe you haven’t been living up to all that God wants you to do. Well, it’s not too late. Turn to Him and trust in Him to get you through this.
It’s been said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over in hopes of getting different results. I lived my life that way for many years. I thought that I could do what I wanted to do and that I could party and have a good time and use God for my 911. I learned that it didn’t work that way. I also learned that when I got into a close relationship with Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, that the things I wanted to do changed. I no longer wanted to hang out at the bar with my friends, I wanted to get involved with our church. My idea of a really fun Saturday night is movie night at our church. I’ve read the end of the book and I know that the Christians win. There may be times when it looks like the good guys finish last, but I assure you, we win.
Now one of my favorite verses of scripture is found in 2 Chronicles 20 which is the battle of King Jehoshaphat. Two vast armies are coming against Jehoshaphat and his kingdom. Armies too big for them to fight. So they pray to God and in verse 15 God gives them this message through a man named Jahaziel, “Listen King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s.” The people were then instructed to suit up for battle and march forward into the battlefield and then stand firm and watch God work. The awesome thing about this battle is that as these two vast armies came against God’s people, God pitted them against each other. These two armies destroyed each other and all God’s people had to do was go in and take the plunder. There was so much plunder that it took them three whole days to collect it!
No matter how vast the army seems that is coming against you, remember that God is bigger. Remember that if you turn to God and trust in Him that He will fight this battle for you. And best news of all is that you are sure to win.
So no matter how defeated you may feel when trouble comes your way know that we are more than conquerors! Nothing can separate us from God’s love! So stand firm and watch God deliver you from your troubles.
Have a great weekend!