Devotional

What does Romans 8:31 mean?

Paul continues to offer encouragement to Christians on this side of eternity. It's true that we are suffering, as all of creation is, as we wait to be glorified with God forever. The fact that we suffer, though, does not mean that God is not with us or for us. In the previous verses, Paul has shown that God is working to complete a purpose in us that He set out to do before He even formed the world (Ephesians 1:4). That purpose is to make us like Christ, and God is still using "all things" to finish this process (Romans 8:28).

Again, in this passage, Paul speaks from the perspective of saved Christian believers. References here to "us," or "we" are not inclusive of the entire human race, but only those who have accepted Christ in faith (Romans 3:23–26;John 3:16–18).

In light of the fact that God foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us, and will glorify us (Romans 8:30), Paul comes to an undeniable conclusion: God must be for us. God must be for all of us who are in Christ by faith. What an amazing and life-changing thought. The one, true God, the creator of all things, is for us. With Him for us, who could ever possibly be against us?

Of course, anyone at all might be against us, in literal terms; any person or group might try to oppose us or afflict us. Paul's question is who of any consequence could ever be against us? What could anyone against us ever hope to accomplish against us, if God Himself is for us? What chance is there that someone can thwart God's intent to save those justified by faith in His son?

The question is whether we believe God is truly for us. Paul offers a definitive answer to that question in the following verse.

Of course, anyone at all might be against us, in literal terms; any person or group might try to oppose us or afflict us. Paul's question is who of any consequence could ever be against us? What could anyone against us ever hope to accomplish against us, if God Himself is for us? What chance is there that someone can thwart God's intent to save those justified by faith in His son?

https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/8/Romans-8-31.html#:~:text=Context%20Summary&text=No%20charge%20or%20accusation%20made,Hard%20things%20will%20happen%2C%20indeed.

What does 2 Corinthians 4:18 mean?

Paul is describing the reason for his refusal to lose heart in the face of suffering for his faith in Christ. He wrote in the previous verse that his current suffering, though nearly unbearable at times (2 Corinthians 1:8), can't even be compared to the far weightier glory of eternity.

Now he adds that this perspective requires a focus on what cannot be seen in this life, meaning the spiritual world. The things that are visible to humans in this life are here for just a moment and then gone. Paul describes them as transient. This is true in two senses. Obviously, anything that exists in this world lasts a very short time in comparison with those things that last forever. Secondly, though, human lives are far shorter, yet, than human history. What is visible to us will come and go very quickly.

The invisible God, though, is "eternal," meaning "outside of time." Whatever exists with Him in the spiritual world will never end. Paul is able to keep his focus on the glories of eternity by keeping his inner focus on what is eternal. This allows him to endure suffering in this life that is "light" and "short" in comparison to the glories and pleasures of eternity to come (Hebrews 11:14–16).

Paul commanded believers to exercise the same focus inColossians 3:1–4, "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (NIV)"

https://www.bibleref.com/2-Corinthians/4/2-Corinthians-4-18.html#:~:text=Paul%20is%20describing%20the%20reason,for%20his%20faith%20in%20Christ.

Numbers 6:24:26

https://radical.net/podcasts/pray-the-word/blessed-and-kept-in-grace-and-peace-numbers-624-26/

What does Psalm 29:11 mean?

David concludesPsalm 29with a benediction. He asks the Lord, the eternal King, to give His people strength. David has already alluded to the Lord's strength in His display of control of nature (Psalm 29:3–10). Now David asks the Lord to impart strength to His people. In this context, that "strength" is mostly about perseverance: the ability to maintain faith in God, trusting His power rather than our own (Hebrews 10:23).

Isaiah 40promises strength to the Lord's weary people.Isaiah 40:30–31promises: "Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORDshall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." However, the Lord is not just the source of power for His people, but also the source of peace. David asks the Lord to "bless his people with peace." The world cannot capture peace. Political peace treaties rarely last long and new threats are constantly emerging, health deteriorates, accidents happen, relationships are broken, economies crumble; there seem to be no end of reasons a person could be anxious. But those who love the Word of God and the God of the Word have great peace (Psalm 119:65;Isaiah 26:3;John 14:27). Our hope is not in this world or the things of this world, but in the very God who created the world and who adopts all who put their faith in Jesus Christ as His own (Galatians 4:4–7;John 1:12). We will still experience hardship, but we have God's promise of peace in the midst (John 16:33;James 1:2–4;1 Peter 1:3–9;5:7), and we know we will one day be with Him forever.

Blessings &Light

BlueEyedGirl 💙