Romans 8:26-39 says:
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
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.
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?
Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies;
who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will (tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Just as it is written,
"FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG;
WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.
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 other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I love this passage! Simply amazing!! It's just beautiful! Anyone who knows Christ and has been through a period of trial in their life can attest to how wonderful and comforting these promises from God in Romans 8 are. Even if everything around you in the world is imploding,
He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. - Psalm 62:6-8
I love the book of Job. It brought me to tears the first time I read it. Job lost everything; his family, his reputation, his health...everything! Of course when we read the book of Job (by the conversation between God and satan in the first chapter) we know that everything that happened to Job was a test allowed by God, but can you imagine what must have been going through Job's mind as the world around him began to completely crumble? He didn't have a Bible telling him that everything he was going through was merely a test, and that he would eventually be blessed twofold in the end. Anyone who ever tries to tell me that the Old Testament was all about the Law and devoid of faith needs to go read or re-read the book of Job! God was truly Job's rock!! I love what Job says in verse 1:21 after he loses his children:
Naked I came from my mother's womb,
And naked I shall return there
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD."
(Side note: it is my personal belief that the "great wind" mentioned in verse 19 was big fat destructive F5 wedge tornado)
I mean, is that not incredible faith to be able to say that in the midst of searing loss? Reading about Job's faith challenges me in my own faith because I haven't experienced any kind of loss or sorrow on any magnitude that even compares to Job and what he experienced. My valley may have been Linville Gorge, but Job's was the Grand Canyon! If he can say out of pure faith "Blessed be the name of the Lord" (or in the words of the Brooklyn Tabernacle "Hallelujah anyway!")and Job was an ordinary man like you or I then we should be able, by the power of God in Christ, to do so as well!
And then it goes full circle back to Romans 8..."But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."
Amazing, y'all!!!
Then there's the cross. You think Job's (a mere man) faith was awe-inspiring, it doesn't even compare to the perfect obedience Jesus displayed in His life and His death upon the cross. How amazing that our Lord and living Savior not only rescues us from our sins but also empowers us to overcome anything!!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phil 4:13
So what's the purpose of it all? Why does God allow us to "overwhelmingly conquer" and "do all things" through Christ? Why goes he even lift us out of the trenches when we go through "down times" as believers? He paid the price for our sins and purchased us redemption...isn't that enough?
It seems that the prosperity theology (which I absolutely abhor and detest) that is so prevalent in America likes to tell us that it's all about us and our benefit. We "do all things through Christ" and "overwhelmingly conquer" so that God will bless us and bestow on us lots of money and all the likes. NO! No! No no no no! It's about HIM...about his glory being displayed to the whole Earth, so that he may redeem some from every tribe, tongue, and nation! He may, out of His grace choose to make you wealthy, but even if He does, it is still about Him! He's only doing it so that you can use that to bless others and to be his hands and feet to reach the lost. Not for your own gain. If we have Christ, we are all rich even if we are penniless, but that richness is not for us. It's so we can take that richness and share it with the rest of the world for His glory!
So here I am figuratively sitting on the top on Mount Mitchell looking at the whole world before me. I can see so much before me, and it's quite exciting and invigorating. I'm not going to lie...God has me in a place right now where I really feel on top of the world. I feel highly blessed, and I don't deserve one bit of it. my joy is truly entwined with my happiness, which hasn't always been the case in my Christian walk. But I am elated that right now it is! And after spending a few months in the gorge, I can really appreciate being lifted out of it and put in this position a lot better than had I not been in the gorge.
But being lifted up like this and experiencing these undeserved blessings are not about me and how I feel. They're about Him, who is my Rock no matter if it is on the top of a mountain or the depth of a valley. No matter if I shouting my joy across the world for everyone to hear or in a place of suffering and sorrow, it is all for Him and for His glory, however He may use it to redeem the world to Himself. Everything I see before me is for Him and His glory, so that the nations can all be reconciled to Him.
God is AWESOME, y'all! Right now it is easy for me to say all this because I am figuratively on top of the world right now. My sincere prayer, though, is that I can say this with as much enthusiasm for His glory no matter what "elevation" I am going through in my walk with Him.
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Oh yeah...I should mention that my team lost :(. Such a big bummer!
As disappointed as I am, though, I am sooo thankful that I am truly a member of the winning Team for all eternity! You can join too!!
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I also took a "Which Jane Austen Heroine are You" quiz. :-D
I got Lizzie!
"You are Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice! You are intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive. You have a good head on your shoulders, and oftentimes find yourself the lone beacon of reason in a sea of ridiculousness. You take great pleasure in many things. You are proficient in nearly all of them, though you will never own it. Lest you seem too perfect, you have a tendency toward prejudgement that serves you very ill indeed."
Haha! That's great! She is my favorite Jane Austen heroine!
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