Romans 8:28-39  "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." 

Paul has led us through a deeper understanding of what Christ has done for us.. coming to do what the Law could not accomplish.. becoming the propitiation for all sin.. reconciling us with the Father.. bringing us freedom as we die to sin and are raised up to everlasting life... now, he returns to his message of what lies ahead.. "For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." (5:10)

This is the "much more".. "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." ( 8:29)  His plan is to take "all things" and use them to bring about a holy, miraculous, wonderful transformation in us.  

He has known us all along. He put this plan into action before we were even born.. and He is calling us to it.  He has justified us and He will "glorify" us!  Think on that!  It is truly amazing!

"What then shall we say to these things?"  God is for us.. He did not spare His own Son, "but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?"  We are His chosen ones. We are the ones that Jesus died for.  We are the ones for whom He intercedes at the right hand of God.  There is absolutely nothing that can stop God from accomplishing His purposes for us!

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall tribulation, or distress,

or persecution, or famine,

or nakedness. or peril or sword?" (v35)

NO!

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

nor angels, nor principalities,

nor things present, 

nor things to come, 

nor powers,

nor height, nor depth,

nor any created thing,

shall be able to separate us from the love of God,

which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (v38-39)

Father in heaven,  You are good and Your lovingkindness is without end.  Your plans are perfect and Your purposes will be accomplished. Hallelujah!  Thank You for these truths that we can cling to when things seem too hard or we feel overwhelmed.  Remind us continually that You have given us everything so that we can "overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."  Though we walk through the shadows.. we do not fear the evil for Your rod and Your staff comfort us.. Your mercy and kindness follow us... we are not alone.  Your love will not let us go..  Come and make Your Presence known as we call upon Your Name today. Thank You! All praise and honor and glory to the Name of our God and Father and to the Son!  Amen!