Reading the Word

Romans 8:31–39 (ESV)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.

Understanding and Applying the Word

Today marks the beginning of a new year. Many of us have likely made resolutions for the year with the aim of making this year better than the last. It is good to look ahead to the future and make plans, but we are also faced with the reality of uncertainty. We do not know what the future holds. It may be difficult.

Paul reminds us in today’s reading that, no matter what comes our way, we can rest knowing that God is on our side. He is for us. He is for us so much that he sent his Son to die for us. If he did that, nothing else will stand between us and him. Let us plan for the future with hope and not fear, knowing that we go in God’s love.

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