“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Rom 8:35

Paul lived this verse. He could say these words with certainty because he had lived the hardship, danger and sword. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul said he had been in prison, flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked three times, in danger from bandits and even from his own countrymen, had been cold and naked, and had known hunger and thirst. But God said to him and He says to us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Christ’s everlasting love does not spare us from life’s dangers. But we can be assured that we are not separated from the love of Christ. Faith means that, regardless of our circumstances, we take God at His word that He loves us. His love may not always rescue us from pain in this world but it does preserve us for everlasting joy in His presence – even through suffering and death.

Romans 8:35 reminds me of the song Confidence by Sanctus Real.

So give me faith like Daniel in the lion’s den
Give me hope like Moses in the wilderness
Give me a heart like David, Lord be my defense
So I can face my giants with confidence

What difficult things have you experienced this year? How has Jesus love helped you? How can you encourage someone else of Christ’s love?

Dear Jesus, thank you for your love – a love that is sufficient, for your power is made perfect in my weakness. Give me strength and hope that I can face life’s circumstances with confidence! Amen.

Contributed by Vickie Petersen