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, with many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And he gave them right standing with himself, and he promised them his glory. 31 What can we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? Will Christ Jesus? No, for he is the one who died for us and was raised to life for us and is sitting at the place of highest honor next to God, 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 are hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? 36 (Even 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 his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels can’t, and the demons can’t. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away. 39 Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28-39 (NLT)
Insight
When things look bleak or scary to us, it is vital that we remind ourselves that God is still in control and has given us overwhelming victory. We can face the worst that life can bring at us with peace if we have faith. Here is a way to personalize the above passage and convert it into a prayer.
Prayer
Abba Father, I praise you and believe that you are working all things, ALL THINGS, for good in my life because I love you and am called according to your purpose. I surrender myself once more to your will and plan for my life. May I bring you glory and pleasure by trusting and praising you at all times. Praise you, Father, because you chose me before you created the world, and you appointed me to be transformed into the image of your Son, which you are accomplishing each day. Thank you, Father, that you made me a part of your family, and you reconciled me to yourself and gave me a right standing before you through the right standing of your Son, and you have appointed me to share in Jesus’ glory.
Father, I ask you to give me a greater revelation of your greatness and glory; so that, I can believe with all my heart that you are far greater than everything that may come against me in this life. Since you are for me, no one of any significance can ever successfully come against me. Help me to truly believe that you love me so much that you will not withhold any good thing from me. Your generosity was proved at the cross. You are generous to the utmost! Thank you, Father, that you defend me against every condemning voice and against every enemy that would try to bring me down in defeat. Instead you have made me into an overwhelming conqueror through Jesus. Thank you that I will never be separated from your magnificent love. Let my faith rise to the level of your promises; so that, I can experience everything Jesus won for me. Amen!
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 (ESV)
