There are so many items in the news today that could cause us anxiety: the possible release of the Supreme Court decision on Roe vs. Wade, the economy, crime in our streets (is anywhere safe?), a possible assassination attempt on Kavanugh’s life, school shootings, monkey pox + another variety of Covid, and general malaise as we face $5.00 a gallon gas this week. Yet, the American spirit says, we can overcome this. We’ve done it before. It can’t possibly be worse than a country at war, or worldwide pandemic, or famine.
Well, yes, mortal life can get worse, and, with the devil running rampant, it seems, things probably will get worse. But, we know who wins the ultimate Armageddon and will reign over all. We who follow Christ attest with Martin Luther: “And though this world with devils filled Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear for God has willed His truth to triumph through us. The prince of darkness grim, We tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, For lo! his doom is sure; One little word shall fell him. That word abobe all earthly powers No thanks to them abideth; The Spirit and the gifts are ours Through Him who with us sideth. Let goods and kindred go, This mortal life also, The body they may kill; God’s truth abideth still; His Kingdome is forever.”
I delight in reading Paul’s letter to the Romans who faceed persecution from the mighty Roman army and those who sought to wipe out the Christian church which was having such an impact on the world order of the time. Would that the church were speaking out now!
Anyway, Romans 8:38 -39 is a strong statement. This morning I read it in three translations. The NIV says: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us fromthe love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” The Amplified New Testament says: “For I am persuaded beyond doubt–and sure–that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, Not height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.” And the Message puts it in today’s language: “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing–nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable–absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus, our Master, has embraced us.”
Yesterday, our family gathered to embrace our Kaley at her eleventh birthday celebration. She knows she is loved. When couples embrace, they know their precious union is the closest of relationships. When a mother holds her newborn to her breast, there is a bond which is unlike any other. Except one. When Jesus carries his lamb, each one of us, we have a uniting force that is other-worldly. He will never forsake us. He will never let us go. That’s an embrace I wish for all mortals to know, for it is eternal. We need not fear anything, for He is our advocate. He is our Savior. Nothing, no bond, is stronger. Can you say, “Amen!”?
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