ROMANS 8:31-34 – What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?  Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 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.

 

THEME OF THE DAY. FOUR OF THE MOST ENCOURAGING WORDS EVER HEARD.  Take a moment and think of words spoken to us that are encouraging. These are the words that warm our hearts, lift up our spirits, and put a “skip in our steps.” Here are a few that make the list – “I love you”, “I am sorry”, “I forgive you”, “Let me help”, “I appreciate you” and “You are such an encouragement to me.”  I am sure there are more, and as we think about it, let’s make a conscious and consistent effort to make speaking such words to others a regular habit.  Such a practice will take us a long way in obeying the following command – But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).

Now, go back and read today’s scripture. There are four words that are the most encouraging words ever heard or read by a human being. Do we see them? Here’s a hint. It is a truth about God in His relationship with believers.  They are found in the opening verse – GOD IS FOR US.  Stop reading and ponder those words again GOD IS FOR US.  As we continue to read this scripture, we will find the words “for us” which implies God for us appearing two additional times.  It’s as if God is saying, “I really mean what I say. I am for you and will always be for you because you are in My Son, the Lord Jesus.

God for us. Yes, even when we sin.  God for us. Yes, even when we don’t measure up to His standards. God for us. Yes, even when we don’t resemble the conduct of His children.  God for us.  Yes, now and forever, and it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with His Son. God the Father is able to be for us because He did not spare His Son.  There is the glorious truth of the Gospel.  God spared not His Son the wrath due us so that He could spare us.  And it had to be one or the other.  Either Jesus is spared God’s wrath and we receive it for eternity, or Jesus, as our substitute receives it, and we are freed from it through eternity.

Think on this truth of God not sparing His Son from the full fury of His wrath; Jesus, God the Son, actually asked to be spared – And Jesus said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36). Sinclair Ferguson commenting, “What is so staggering about God not sparing the Lord Jesus is that in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked that He might be spared. The measure of the sacrifice is that the Father did not spare His own Son, and that His Son was willing not to be spared even though that would mean the God-forsakenness of the cross. For us the Father and the Son were willing to bear the unbearable. For it was not possible that both we and the Son could be spared.”

So when life gets hard, and it will, never lose sight of the truth GOD IS FOR US.  These are indeed the four most encouraging words we will ever hear, read, and embrace now and forever!

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for such love in  Your Son that makes You always for me.”

QUOTE: “God is for us is the most powerful force in all the world conquering any and all foes.”