“Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?” (Romans 8:35)

     The apostle Paul asks what we might consider to be a rhetorical question.  He knows the answer, and many people who are grounded in our faith know the answer, but he could be asking this for the benefit of anyone who could be expressing some doubts.  Then, he goes on to answer the question in 8:37, “No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us.”

     We know of troubles we have faced—past and present, and we are quite aware that the future will not be trouble-free, but God, in his goodness, will never abandon us, and never stop loving us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, remind us to always seek refuge through our relationship with you.  Remove any doubts from our hearts and minds about how much you love us.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.