Devotion 21 September 2026

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 8: 28

READING: Romans 8: 35-39

In our reading today Paul describes how God works continually for our good, that is, for all of those of us who love Him.  He describes in detail that nothing can separate us from this love of God.  He speaks of all the things that can go wrong in our lives, such as hardship, troubles, hunger or danger or illness or war.  When we experience these times of difficulties and misfortune, we become anxious and depressed and everything appears to be too for us to handle.  He says we can become conquerors of all these problems with the love of God.  He says that nothing in all creation, “ will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verse 39).  In Philippians 1 : 6 Paul writes, “Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Some more comforting words we read in the Psalm 46 : 10, “Be still and know that I am God; --- I will be exalted in all the earth,” and in Psalm 55 : 22, “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous fall.”  In Psalm 86 : 15 we read these comforting words, “But You, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”  In the letter of James 4 : 8 – 10,  he encourages us to, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. --- Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  Jesus say to the disciples when they were faced with the news of Jesus’ pending death in John 14 : 1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Trust in God; trust also in me.”   Christ is our peace!  This peace enables us to live peacefully with our fellow men and with ourselves.  Jesus said, “ Come to me all you who are weary and heavy ladened, and I will give you rest.” (Mathew 11 : 28)   “Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14 : 27).  And “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4 : 7)

Prayer

We pray Lord Jesus, that You may dwell in our hearts and that we may be rooted and established in love, so that we may have power, together with all Your people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is Your love for us and that we may know this love which surpasses all love, May and that we may pass this love on to our neighbour to Your glory.  Amen

(Based on Ephesians 3: 17 – 19)