NEW LIFE, NEW PERSPECTIVE
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Romans 8:35-37 (NLT)
Have you ever been through a particularly rough season? A time when it seemed like nothing was going your way? Perhaps strife and difficulty at home, work and seemingly everywhere in between. Those that you counted on most let you down. Your big break turned out to be a big bust. Maybe you experienced a lack in both your wants and needs being fulfilled. Possibly out and out persecution.
It's easy in a season like that to lose perspective. To begin to think that God can’t really love you because if He did, He surely wouldn’t allow you to experience such things. One of the most common questions is why God allows bad things to happen to good people. The truth is that there are a variety of reasons why we go through the hardships that we do, but no matter the reason, one thing is universally true. God loves you—nothing can stop that. Just because you go through difficult times doesn’t mean He has abandoned you.
You are loved by God. Don’t zoom past that statement or take it for granted. You are loved by the God who made all things, and still, He values you more highly than anything else in creation. Consider the words of James in James 1:18 (NLT): He chose to give birth to us by giving us His true word. And we, out of all of creation, became His prized possession.
You are cherished. Prized. Treasured. When your circumstances are overwhelming, remember that overwhelming victory is yours through Christ, who loves you.
APPLICATION:
Take five minutes to be completely still. Don’t do anything else—no distractions at all, not even worship music. Ask God to reveal His love for you. Then, sit and be still, listening to hear the voice of God. While you may not hear Him audibly, I believe that when we draw close to God, He draws close to us.
PRAYER:
God, help me to remember that You and Your love for me are greater than my circumstances. Help me to remember that I am Your loved child, even when things around me seem to be falling apart. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?