We have all seen our share of bad news lately. It seems living in this old world gets tougher every day - because the world grows farther and farther away from God every day. The devastating tragedy that ocurred at the Boston Marathon a few days ago is not a unique or isolated event. It is just the most recent in a string of sad events this country has endured over the past few months. The bombing at the Marathon comes on the heels of a local tragedy in our community. Two young men from our local high school lost their lives in an automobile accident this past Saturday.
Somehow, out of the tragedies in our lives - we still find good in people. Everyday people reach out to help their fellowman and in that moment -- that one moment of choosing to do the right thing -- they become heroes. That very thing happened in Boston this past week. We heard a few of the stories on the news -- stories that inspired us and gave us hope. I have no doubt that others rushed to help -- others that the world will never know about. That doesn't matter -- it doesn't take away from the fact that those folks, whoever they might have been, did what they could to help others in trouble.
The same goes for our local community. Many, many people reached out to the families of the two boys who lost their lives so tragically. So many reached out in love and support for the families as they streamed through the funeral home the night of the visitation. That alone was comforting to all those who were present - to know that there were so many willing to show love and support. It seems the entire high school pulled together, as well as the community. Times like these make me proud to be a part of this community. It matters not to me that we are a small, rural community where everyone seems to know everyone. Actually, that is exactly why I like it here. But that is all a matter of personal choice.
In tough times like these, it is good to find encouragement through the scriptures. We see the good in people and through all that goodness we remember the goodness and the love of God. The Bible - the true and living word of God- gives us comfort and hope. One such chapter that offers us hope and reminds of God's goodness is Romans chapter 8. Many of us are familiar with parts of this chapter and in particular vs. 28 -- "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
That verse is truly comforting. It is easy to see why we all turn to it for encouragement. However, there are other verses in this wonderful chapter that give us the much needed reassurance we seek from time to time. You see, it doesn't matter how you look at it - as one my friends said once -"This old world just beats you up sometimes."
One of the passages I love in this chapter is verse 18 - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." To me, that is a "Woo Hoo!" verse. We suffer in the world, but God has promised us glory ... if we are faithful. See verse 13-14 says - "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." You see, if we put to death our worldly way of life - then we are called the sons (and daughters) of God. Now how awesome is that!!! We know how much power and majesty our God has and for Him to adopt us as His children - well, that truly is glorious! Verse 16 says - "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
Paul is talking about earthly suffering in this chapter. He tells us that we have hope -- assurance that God is on our side; and no one can stand against us. (v. 31) In verse 23 - he talks about groaning within ourselves - waiting for the adoption - the redemption of our body. Here, Paul is talking about the glorified bodies we will have when Jesus comes back to claim His own. Paul mentions that we are saved by hope -- but this is the kind of hope which is real, based on firm conviction -- it is an earnest expectation -- of confidence in what God has promised.
Paul also tells us that the Spirit helps us. God's Spirit knows our infirmities. He (the Spirit) intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray for. I don't know about you, but there have been many times when I have become so overwhelmed with sorrow and grief that I have been in this situation. There were times when my emotions and thoughts are so mixed up I can't put my prayer into words. How wonderful it is to know that the Spirit intercedes for us -- understands what we are going through and takes what is in our hearts -- what we can't express ourselves -- and gives that to God in a way that God can understand it. The Spirit makes intercession for us according to the will of God. (verses 26 & 27) Then comes verse 28 which so many of us have memorized.
Really folks, this whole chapter is rich and full of treasure. Read it whenever you are having a tough time. I don't think anyone can read this chapter without feeling blessed and encouraged. Verses 35 through 39 sums it up -- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord."
I really think that pretty much says it all don't you?
So hang in there -- even when the world gets really ugly and we feel like we have gone as far as we can go - we have the Spirit interceding for us, (vs. 26-27) the love of Christ, (vs. 35) and the love of God on our side! (vs. 39)
And if God be for us -- then really -- who can be against us?
Christ above all things,
Robin
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