What happens when things don’t go the way we think they should? Where is God when the storms of life come against us? Should we let circumstances separate us from Christ? If God is for us, who can be against us? Greetings in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
We are surrounded by circumstances and challenges not of our own choosing. The reality is most of what happens in life is beyond our control. Try as we might we are powerless to control many of life’s simplest tasks. So where do we turn when we realize we are not in control? We should turn to God. As Billy Graham was famous for quoting; “I do not know what tomorrow holds, but I do know who holds tomorrow.”
There is a passage in Romans that outlines the presence of God in our lives.
Romans 8:28-39; NLT; 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Let’s take a look at some of these verses;
Romans 8:28; And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
God works in the situations in our life, the challenges we face, and the questions we ask, to accomplish His will. That will is not only good, but it is good for those who love God and belong to Him. Those of us who enter into a relationship with Him and submit to His guidance and direction will have a purpose, His purpose. The end result of that will be good. Good for you and good for others.
Romans 12:2; NLT; Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
We learn this when we let God change the way we think. If we are unsure we can ask.
James 1:5; NLT; If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
The challenge comes when we think the challenges we face in life separate us from God. They do not. In fact they should bring us closer. As we realize our need for God’s presence we should develop a greater trust and faith in Him. But we have a question…
Romans 8:35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
The answer is….
Romans 8:3b; If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
Romans 8:39b; indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Therein lays the understanding that will get us through the storms of life. God is with us, He has a good plan for us and nothing can separate us from His love for us in Christ Jesus. Note that it all is God’s work, nothing we did or can do has a bearing on His presence in our lives. We do however need to engage Him. We do however need to come before Him, pray, listen and act according to His leading. Then we will experience the blessing He has prepared for us.
Philippians 4:8-9; NLT; And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Blessings,
Pastor Don