Week 8 - Day 7 - A Relationship With Jesus
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Unshakeable Love
Scripture: Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)
“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.”
Devotional:
I totally agree with Paul who wrote the above scripture.
Paul was previously known as Saul. An orthodox Jewish legalist who was a devout persecutor of Christians who had a literal road to Damascus experience that converted him through temporary blindness into everlasting sight.
I too have shared this experience as I am sure many of us have.
As hard as we try it seems like there is nothing we can do to turn away God’s love. Sure we can turn away from His love and we often have, but it’s still there when we turn back towards Him.
I once called one of my spiritual mentors to share some despair I was feeling. It seemed I was losing my faith and I wanted to share my thoughts with him. He asked me how I felt about what I was going through and I declared ‘terrible.’ ‘Praise God’ he said. When I asked in dismay why he would say that, he told me that he would have been more concerned if I wasn’t worried about it. I got it.
‘Where did you lose sight of him?’ asked Geoff. ‘Because He never moves and never changes. He will be right where you left Him.’
Geoff was right and within minutes I was re-connected to the unfailing love of God.
You have started a relationship with Jesus. You will never be the same again. The old hurting you is set to die and be replaced by the cleaner and fresher version bathed in the love and blood of Jesus Christ.
Do you deserve it? Jesus declares that you do, and it doesn’t matter what you have done to turn it off. It’s still there.
Take a few seconds to listen quietly.
Can you hear it?
That’s forgiveness calling out your name. Are you ready for a relationship with Jesus?
You may not think so but He does; and He’s waiting arms outstretched with holes in His palms. It’s time to surrender to a love that will change the entire climate of your life and others around you. Believe me, it is infectious and it saves and cleanses requiring no antidote or inoculation. It’s time to replace the pandemic of fear with a pandemic of love against which no cure is required.
God never wastes a hurt.
In these verses, the apostle Paul expresses his unshakable confidence in the unbreakable bond of love between believers and God. He lists a series of potential obstacles—death, life, angels, powers, and more—but concludes that none of them can ever separate us from the love of God found in Christ Jesus. Paul’s conviction underscores the incomparable nature of God’s love: it transcends all boundaries and endures all circumstances.
The assurance of God’s unwavering love provides a firm foundation for our faith. In times of trial or doubt, we can take comfort in the truth that nothing in all creation can separate us from His love. His love is not contingent upon our performance or worthiness but is grounded in His character and faithfulness.
As we meditate on the depth and breadth of God’s love, we are compelled to respond with gratitude, worship, and obedience. His love compels us to love others sacrificially, extending the same grace and forgiveness that we have received from Him. When we abide in His love, we experience a profound sense of security, belonging, and purpose.
Reflection Questions:
- Reflect on the obstacles listed by Paul that supposedly could separate us from God’s love. Have you ever felt as though any of these obstacles were threatening your relationship with God? How did you overcome those feelings?
- How does the assurance of God’s unchanging love impact your daily life and your relationship with Him? In what ways does it influence your attitude toward challenges and uncertainties?
- Consider the depth of God’s love as revealed in Christ Jesus. How can you more fully embrace and embody this love in your interactions with others?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Papa God.
Thank you for the indescribable gift of Your unchanging love. Help us to grasp the depth and breadth of Your love for us, and to live in the confidence that nothing can ever separate us from it. Fill us with Your Spirit, that we may be vessels of Your love in a world desperate for Your grace and mercy. May Your love compel us to love others as You have loved us, and may it be evident in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Graham Hood.
