Romans 8:26-39 (NRSV)
Read Romans 8:26-39 on biblegateway.com
Verse 26Likewise 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. Verse 27And 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. Verse 28We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
Verse 29For 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. Verse 30And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Verse 31What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Verse 32He 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? Verse 33Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Verse 34Who 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. Verse 35Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Verse 36As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered." Verse 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Verse 38For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Verse 39nor 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.
Devotion
In 1967, I preached on this text for “Youth Sunday.” I am still moved by these words. The discernment we are talking about this week is often confusing and difficult, but also an amazing work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit helps us, prays for us, teaches, and encourages us. God is for us!
Nothing can separate us from God’s love and promise in Christ Jesus—not teenage impatience, adult ambition, old age, trauma, self-pride, not our past or our future, no power on earth or beyond, not even our foolishness or lack of faith. Nothing! Wow!
A family in a church I served embodied this for me. Their oldest son, driving recklessly, caused the death of his sixteen-year-old sister. Another son was disabled. Grief and challenge was around every corner, but they felt called to be foster parents. They took in special needs children and adopted two of them. They named their farm Mustard Seed Farm. (Matt.13:31-2)
Prayer
Dear God, you never give up on us. May we never give up on others who need our love and help. We long to know your will for us and our community. Amen.