“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37) Paul was speaking of things in this world that are likely to separate a believer from the love of God. The knowledge that nothing can separate us from God is a great comfort, and the foundation of our belief and trust in God. Paul mentions many things in this passage, and they can and do disrupt the fellowship of our soul with God. These things can cause us to separate from God, but they can not come between God’s love and the soul of a true believer on a spiritual level. The abundance of God’s grace and mercy and love was shown at the Cross of Calvary, with God’s Son hanging on the cross to make God’s love and grace and mercy a possibility to a world lost in sin. Because of God’s love, grace and mercy are available to all who hear His word and obey God’s calling. It is a love that can never be earned or owed to us at any time for any reason.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35) There is nothing that can separate us from the Love of Christ! To a person who has never surfed – those huge waves in the ocean are intimidating and scary and bring fear – but to the surfer who rides them – those same waves bring excitement and joy and exhilaration! Let’s apply that thought to our own circumstances. The things we try to avoid for fear – we fight against them because they are not pleasant – tribulation, suffering and persecution – are the very things that will produce abundant joy within us. We must learn to ride the waves and enjoy the end result.

Paul said for this reason – nothing can separate us from the love of Christ – “in all these things we are more than conquerors.” We have within us the ability to overcome the very things which look as if they are going to overwhelm us. It is all because of the grace and mercy and love of God. We are more than conquerors through Him! Notice the source of our strength – HIM – God is the source of all our strength. Paul told the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Philippians 4:13) We are conquerors through Christ in all things – not in spite of the things that we experience – but we have the ability to overcome the very things that bring sorrow and tribulation. That is why Paul could proclaim “I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.” (2 Corinthians 7:4)

Paul said it best when it comes to trusting in God, and as a result of trusting in God we find the strength to overcome and comfort and peace and even joy in the midst of the things we face. “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession 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?” (Romans 8:31-35)

Abundant joy is a result of the love of God. The glory we are to enjoy will be even greater that the joy we find in this life. Through Jesus we have the ability to overcome the difficulties of this world so we can enjoy even more the joy of living in the presence of the Lord – and nothing on this earth has the power to separate us from that love and blessed hope we have in Christ our Lord. “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39)

May God’s blessings be upon you!!! Mike

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26