WEEK 27 – DAY 1

July 5, 2021

ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that 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 creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

The scripture tells us God enables us to gain a decisive victory over trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, and the sword. So why do we have such a hard time gaining victory over job stress, financial difficulties, teasing, dieting, wearing last year’s clothes, the freeway, and backstabbing coworkers? Perhaps we have failed to embrace the truth that our circumstances do not matter at all in the total scheme of eternity! God never promised us a life of comfort and ease in this world. In fact, he told us we would be persecuted for his sake (John 15:18-21). James also speaks of trials and temptations (James 1:2-4) and a reward for perseverance (James 1:12). We should expect difficulty in this life, but that does not mean that we are to be fearful or sad. God has promised that we can vanquish all foes and live victoriously in Him. How? Focus on the fact that NOTHING can separate you from God’s love. If you lose your job, God will provide your needs. If you sin, God offers forgiveness when you ask. If you are assaulted or even murdered, God will love you into His home. Think of the absolute worst thing that could happen to you. No matter what that “worst thing” is, you will be securely held in the Father’s loving arms (John 10:27-29).

Father, we accept our circumstances as being filtered through Your love. Help us to rise above them and live as conquerors having won the decisive victory – the escape from the dungeons of hell and a bold march to the ultimate homecoming in Heaven. Hallelujah!