Daily Scripture: Romans 8:18-28, 35-39
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered 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, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Read additional translations at Biblegateway.com or youversion.com
Reflection Questions:
Christians have sometimes applied this passage, especially verse 28, in hurtful ways. Note that verse 28 does NOT say God causes all things, nor that everything that happens is good. Instead, Paul affirms his triumphant faith that if we put our lives in God’s hand, God will work for good IN all things.
- This passage speaks to us about patience (which is a key component of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22). How patient are you? How open are you to allowing God to grow the fruit of patience in you in those areas where it is still only a little bit present?
- Have you ever felt cut off from God? Paul says no tragedy, disaster, suffering or deprivation can separate us from God’s love. Write a brief prayer of thanks that God’s presence does not depend on your feelings, that God is always with you and on your side. (Psalm 13 may be a helpful model.)
Read insights and reflections from today’s passage by our pastors at gpsinsights.wordpress.com
Weekly Prayer:
Lord Jesus, you said you are “the living water,” “the bread of life,” and “the light of the world.” You said you came so we can have life, life lived to the fullest. But in this broken world, pain and evil hurt me and people I care about. Help me not to blame you for the bad stuff, and to learn to trust that you are always with me, leading me to light and life. Amen.
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, TODAY’S NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 2001, 2005 by International Bible Society®. Used by permission of International Bible Society®. All rights reserved worldwide.
