#DailyDevotion Some Promises Are Only For Those Who Trust In Jesus

January 18th

Read Rom 8:18–39

Rom 8:18  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:23  And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. Rom 8:25-28  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.  (26)  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.  (27)  And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  (28)  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Rom 8:34-35  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died–more than that, who was raised–who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.  (35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

 

First we must remember that Romans chapter 8 is written for Christians.  These words of comfort while God wants for everyone, they currently apply only to those who trust in Christ.  And we as Christians are going to suffer.  We learned that suffering as Christians is something we can rejoice in because it has a purpose in Christ.  We also see that the suffering we currently undergoing is not worth comparing to the glory to be revealed to us.  Paul says something similar in 2Co 4:17  “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison…”

 

We, along with creation, grown inwardly, even as creation groans with all sorts of trials and tribulations, waiting for us to be revealed as the sons of God.  We do hope for what we do not see and we hope with patience knowing God fulfills his promises.  While we wait, the Spirit of God himself intercedes for us according to the will of God.  We don’t always know what to pray for or even sometimes have the ability to pray.  But the Spirit of God prays for us.

 

Not only does the Spirit pray for us but Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of God.  How can we lose?!  The Spirit and the Son pray, intercedes and make supplications for each and everyone of us according to the will of God.  Their prayers for us are always heard, always answered and always delivered.

 

So we can bear with things knowing everything is working for our good.  Everything doesn’t work for everyone’s good.  It just works for good for those who love God who have been called according to his purpose.  Who are those?  Chapter 6, those who have been baptized into Christ, who have faith in God’s promise in Christ and have this faith in the work of Jesus on the cross delivered to us in baptism.  And nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus because nothing can separate us from Christ not even you.

 

Lord God, Heavenly Father ever keep us in this hope that we may not despair of the trials and tribulations in life knowing these are working for our good and not to drive us away from the love you have for us in your son Jesus in whose name we pray.  Amen.