December 27 – Romans 8:35-39

God’s Profound Love

Request: Lord, open my eyes as I read your word, my ears to hear, my mind to understand, and my heart to be filled with your love. Amen.

Read Romans 8:35-39

Record your favorite verse and comment if you want to share.

Respond with a prayer to God

These verses are one of the most comforting promises in scripture. Paul was writing to the church in Rome, which would experience persecution in a few years. As with everything we read in the Bible, it is still relevant and true today. No matter what happens to us or where we are, we cannot be separated from God. The hard stuff in our lives can make us feel like we have been abandoned by God, but nothing can separate us from Christ’s presence and his love for us. God’s love for us is like no other. If we believe in the assurance of his great love, we will not be afraid during the trials and hard times of our lives.

As I write this, it is the 19th year since the death of my grandson. He was born too soon, and after 33 days of life, he died. It was the worst time of my life as a mom to watch my daughter and son-in-law lose their child. It was nothing that I had ever had to go through. For 33 days, I watched as they spent each day in the NICU caring for and loving their son as he struggled for his life. He was a fighter, and I know that he felt the love of both of his parents. During those days, I moved in with them to care for them. At night, when they would fall into bed exhausted but sleep would not come for them, I would fall to my knees in prayer for God to be present and to heal that tiny baby boy. After his death, the sadness and grief were indescribable. Where was God? As the years passed and there was some healing, we could all look back and realize that God had not abandoned any of us. There were so many times that we could now clearly see that God was always right there – either carrying them or walking alongside them. It is still hard each year as we come to this time of year. For me, it is a week of anxiety where I am restless and feel like it has just happened. I worry about my kids knowing that they are also feeling the same way. But now, I know that God is always there and he is carrying them, or walking with them. It may seem like you have been abandoned by God during the hard times in this life, but please live in the comfort that he is always there, nothing will separate us from him. Our children are not the people they were before their son’s death, but, as my daughter now says, “I am better than I was before”. They have been on a journey with God for the last 19 years. Thanks be to God, they are stronger now as a couple than ever before. They have an adorable 11-year-old son who is as loving and compassionate as his mommy and daddy. My daughter has answered God’s call and is attending seminary. Her hubby is walking with her and supports her in every possible way.

My verse: Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

No matter what trials and heartache we go through in this life, God will always be with us. God’s love for us is stronger than anything we may experience. He will protect us from evil during these times.

My Response: Father, thank you for your love and care. Thank you for loving us even when we may feel that you have abandoned us. Help us to always see that you have been with us when we felt that we were alone.