March 11, 2005 Romans 8:29-39

March 11, 2005 Romans 8:29-39

Romans 8:28, 35, 37-39 “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose… Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor 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.

In the aftermath of the attacks on 9/11/01, George W. Bush quoted this passage from Romans. It was impressive and poignant because we were a frightened nation and needed reassurance. These verses from Romans helped us accept and understand a little better what was happening and that God did not desert us. Following the Tsunami in Southeast Asia on 12/26/04, these words again provided a comfort for many people.
Sometimes, just when we think God has abandoned us, He speaks to us and reminds us of His presence. Sometimes it is so subtly that all we can do is quietly smile to our self and say “Thank you.” Other times, God speaks so magnificently that we laugh aloud and say, “Alleluia.”
One evening last spring, just before dark, I was out walking. It had been a dreary, gray, and gloomy day – not very spring like at all. My spirits were pretty low to begin with, and I was probably feeling sorry for myself. The day’s gloominess just added to the misery I was feeling.
As I rounded the corner, brilliant color literally burst open on the western horizon. The whole western sky was aflame in the otherwise grayness. The hot pink, apricot, fuchsia, and orange explosion of color was a hue combination no one could ever copy on a canvas. I gasped in awe at the sudden, unexpected, and breathtaking skyline. It seemed that God was showing me His presence, despite my personal tribulation. He was showing His wondrous artwork and telling me to not despair. He was demonstrating that there are always answers to one’s distress.
God could have called it a day and let the grayness finish and fade out. Nothing more would have been required since night was about to fall anyway. But instead, He colored the sky gloriously. I picked up my gait, stared at that sunset with thanksgiving, and thanked God for His help, His presence, and the answers He provided. This was just one example of God’s love. This was one time it was truly an “Alleluia” thank you. It was saying, “God is for us and we cannot be separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” We can be assured through Christ who intercedes for us that God is always there.

Dear Lord, help us remember you are always with us, that we cannot be separated from your love. Help us with our everyday personal concerns and catastrophic global calamities. Forgive us for sometimes turning away from you while we are self-absorbed, and help us to see the good in everything you do. In Christ’s name we ask these things. Amen.

Contributed by Amy Foutes