ROMANS 8:31-39 GOD IS FOR US The whole of the Gospel theme brings us to the high ground where we can see the leading of God from being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, to being glorified together with Him. All of this is an accomplished fact in God's eyes because God is for us. The purpose of God is not up for speculation but we rejoice in it with a sense of gratitude and victory because God is for us. He has called us and saved us by His grace. We have died in Christ and risen in Him. The Holy Spirit is in us and Christ is at the right hand of God for us - God is for us! If God is for us, who can be against us. This is not a question but a challenge that goes out and no one can rise to it. God did not spare His Son. He gave Him that we might be redeemed
- we who were nothing - "not a people, but are now the people of God." Who or what could ever meet such a challenge by the One who "delivered Him up for us all."
Now, that great salvation that has been provided for us as an unspeakable gift, in no way can be defined or described. It has been given us freely. What can be compared with the gift of His Son! God is for us in on- going blessings which He chooses to give us now and in the future. Those who God is for are confident no charge can be laid against them no matter who the foe is or how strong the enemy might be. God justifies us
- He has made that pronouncement. Even further is the fact that Christ Jesus who made this all possible is raised from the dead and at God's right hand, is occupied as intercessor for us. The Holy Spirit here; the Lord Jesus there and God on His throne - these are astounding words - God is for us!
God's people have, and many still do, suffer hardships that have sorely pressed them - but God is for us. Some of them have been, and are being persecuted - but God is for us. There are those in hunger in Christ- rejecting societies and may feel abandoned by men - but God is for us. Humiliation, danger and death may come to many of the choice people of God on earth - but God is for us.
The apparent defeats of God's people by the hosts arrayed against them, are really the means God has used to bring triumphs over the hosts of hate by the power of love. In these terrible situations the elect of God are more than conquerors. A conqueror may win a victory. To be more than a conqueror indicates the love of God through suffering saints, wins the enemy himself. Many have been reached for God through the love of those they have persecuted. They have surrendered themselves to the grace of God and have been joined to the ranks of the people of God by the love of the saints that led them to faith in Jesus Christ.
On this high ground of fellowship with divine Persons, we are as close to heaven as we can get this side of death's door. The fear of death has no claim on the believer from the vantage point where he sees things through God's eyes. Life with all its tensions, difficulties and disappointments cannot interfere or separate us from God's love in Christ. Angels and authorities, for all their power and demands, cannot separate us from God's love - God is for us! Nothing that has happened or ever will: governments of men or powers of darkness, nothing in the universe around us or hell beneath us, can keep God from being for us or separate us from His love in Christ. There is nothing that has been or ever will be, that can keep God from being for us and from His unchanging love in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here on this mountaintop of faith, one can see into the past before the foundation of the world, and into the brightness of the eternal future that lights up the whole future horizon. And then with a look down to where daily life is lived, we can testify to what we now realize - God is for us!
Sometimes from the shades of night we might tend to forget - That we are here in this dying world because God isn't finished with us yet. There are some things I will never learn when in the light of day - One thing is there are others who have up till now not found the way.
I am thankful for the times when up on higher ground God lets me stop awhile here and take a look around. It is possible to see way back to where this walk began - And see there are still many looking for the gate to the promised land.
That view keeps me with compassion for those who have not heard. I need to look on them as lost sheep with the compassion of the Lord. And make a point when I leave this peak to proclaim the way of salvation - That those who want true life from God will flee from condemnation.
Coming up the mountain path I see the Lord's dear people. Some seem confident as they climb, others are slow but all are equal In the eyes of God who chose them and made them subjects of His love.
And wants me to encourage them to see what is up above.
From time to time I rest here to catch a second wind - And then I hear from my Lord, "There's another place to which I send You to speak for Me to others and pass along My Truth That they may know I consider them to be people of highest worth."
So, with longing eyes toward the bright horizon, I move to other tasks. And seek out those who are lost, and answer questions which some may ask. It is my goal to find faithful men who are willing to teach others. With strength of fellowship and truth, they will be guides of other brothers.
"Father, this seems to have been one of those mornings when heaven is very near. These words I have been meditating on have lifted my sights higher than is normal, I am kind of ashamed to say. I ask Thee, Father, to give me the wisdom to lift the spirits and hearts of Thy people tonight that they may find their joy in Thee. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."