It was a time of testing, and I did poorly. Your word says, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
Romans 8 is my companion this morning. “Who can separate us from the love of Christ?” I noticed for the first time today that it doesn’t say “What”, it says “Who”. This is a very personal battle in the spiritual realm.
It may feel like I’m “being put to death all day long” (verse 36), but God says in verse 33, “No, in all these things” (whether we are attacked with affliction, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword), “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, not height nor depth, nor any other created thing…” (that leaves nothing out!), “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (verses 38-39)
So once again it comes back to identity. This message has been the earmark of many an exhortation from my mentors over the years. We are image bearers in a spiritual battle. But if we forget how much we are unconditionally loved by our Father, we are ripe for attack. When we fail, the enemy can come in with his lies and tell us: ‘NOW youve done it, you are disqualified, I’ve finally got you, just give up, game over, you’re a loser so don’t bother getting up” …
Next, in comes despair, then he brings his friends shame and depression, then they bring their friends, “this soldier is down and only looking down, come on, join the party.”
If we are not rooted and grounded in His love, we will believe all the lies pouring in to our defeated minds and hearts.
Friends! This should not be so!
v. 31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
v. 33 “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies.”
Again, this is a personal battle we fight and it is the person of Jesus Christ who makes us conquerors.
v. 33 “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
So all of our times of testing achieve a higher purpose:
v. 28 “We know that all things work together for good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.”
The enemy wants us to “receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.” v. 15 But who are you? Dear brother or sister, you have “received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, Abba, Father!”
Don’t despair, call cry out, ‘Abba, come help me, Abba”. When He hears the sound of your cry, He will certainly answer it! Isaiah 30:19
Even though the way seems dark, and you can’t see Him or feel Him with your senses, call to Him in the darkness, trust His written promises. He will hear you and He will answer you and He will be gracious to you.
Brother or sister, admit what you have done, He already knows all and is waiting on high to have compassion on you. Humble yourself before Him and He will lift you up. Your Redeemer is able to make all things new again.
Streams excerpts for today 1/24/2026:
“He wants us to realize that His word, His promise of remembrance, is more substantial and dependable than any evidence of our senses…
Our hand in His, e’en though the path seems long and drear
We scarcely see a step ahead, and almost fear?
He guides aright, He has it thus to keep us near.”
Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, ‘this is the way, walk in it, whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
Suggested Bible Reading:
Romans 8