For week beginning February 10th 2025 Romans 8:35, 37-39
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In this passage, Paul reminds us that nothing will be able to separate us from God’s love, a Love both redemptive and forgiving.
We know God is Divine, Omnipresent and Omniscient (ever present and all knowing) but we are human and in our suffering may at times feel abandoned by God. The opposite is true too as many people turn to God for answers when they are facing very challenging times.
As we soon begin our Lenten journey to the Cross, we will look at the abandonment Jesus experienced at the Mount of Olives when He knew what was ahead. He cried out in anguish to The Father, (Luke 22:39-44) ….. and an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength’ (v43). Both human and Divine, Jesus experienced the worst of humanity and suffering so is in the best possible position to be with us.
If you are suffering for any reason at this time, the God who knows more about you than you do, loves you and is with you in your suffering. Know too, the church family is there for you so never feel you cannot reach out for support.
The beginning and end of the passage above, ‘Who will separate us from the love of Christ?….nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. These words of truth and encouragement we need to hold onto as we navigate our own journey of faith.
Revd Tish Bird
See Previous Reflections here