Our God Is For Us!

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  • This one is difficult for me to think about. Who can be against us? Really? I can think of a few who could be against me! As I was reflecting on this question a few things came to mind. What if we lived in an area where being a Christian could get us killed? What if we weren’t allowed to meet together for Bible study? What if we had to hide the fact that we were followers of Jesus because of the risk of persecution or even imprisonment? Yet there are people in this world who suffer these things, and they still practice their faith! They still worship God and study His Word! Oh to have such a strong faith, that doesn’t cower at the least bit of opposition! But then... Consider Jesus. He definitely understands what it is to be persecuted. I wonder if he ever felt like giving up? Did the Devil tempt him at every turn? Luke 4:13 says, after He was tempted in the desert, that the devil “left him until an opportune time”! Look at some of the things that Jesus faced.   Peter denied him, Judas betrayed him, there was a crowd that wanted to throw him over a cliff! A town asked him to leave, and even after people saw all the miracles he performed, they still rejected him. Even His own family thought He was crazy. And there were even those who laughed at Him! Yet His focus was on God. His focus was doing the will of His Father. Maybe that’s the difference. Where does our faith lie? As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:5, “so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” Is our hope truly in Jesus who has promised to never leave us or forsake us? (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:5). After all He did say we would face trials and persecution. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” He also reminds us in Matthew 10:26,28, “”So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” So, who can be against us? If God is for us? As followers of Jesus, we have come to know and believe that He is on our side! We have His many promises to call upon in times of difficulties or trials. Such as Deuteronomy 20:4, “for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’” Or Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.” And Jesus reminds us in Luke 12:11-12, ‭‭””when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”” May we all fine encouragement in knowing that God is on our side, He is for us, He fights our battles, He is our judge, so we do not need to worry what others say or think, or could possibly do to us, for our hope is in Him and Him alone. 

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