Conquerors

Paul pulls no punches when he explains life to us.  Living a life of faith can be really hard. In the 8th chapter of Romans, he tells us what we are up against.  If we were listing the burdens and hardships of life, we might list loneliness, pain, persecution, hunger, grief, poverty, even death.

But Paul makes it really personal. Over and over Paul asks not what is against us, but who.  Look at verses 31, 33, 34 and 35.  Not what, but who?  We have a personal enemy.

Satan is against us.

Satan accuses us.

Satan condemn us.

Satan wants to separate us from Christ's love.

Satan is not just an enemy . . . he is YOUR enemy.  He uses tribulation, distress, persecution, famine and sword to accomplish his purpose.  It helps his cause for us to look at and concentrate on the wrong things.  If we concentrate on our pain, he might win.  If we concentrate on Satan, we might give up.

So, Paul calls on us to look at Jesus; more precisely, to look at the love of Jesus.

Satan can rail.  He can hurt us, starve us, even kill  us.  But he cannot separate us from Jesus' love.  When all is said and done . . . when the smoke clears and the dust settles . . . it will be us and Jesus.  We win.  We are more than conquerors.

Dear Father,

You are the one true God.  No one is like you.  You have never failed.  You are the mighty one, and you love us.

Thank you for the victory we can have in Jesus.  Thank you for the promise that Satan cannot separate us from your love.  Thank you for telling us that we actually can get through this life.

We know you have already won.  And we remember, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.”         

In the name of your Son, our Shepherd, in whom we fear no evil, Amen

Paul Shero

San Angelo, Texas