-1.png?width=5230&name=unnamed%20(4)-1.png "Wayne Stiles")
Cairo: Jesus in Egypt & God's Unusual Leaning
God seldom gives us all we need to understand, but He always gives us what we need in order to obey. The story of Jesus in Egypt as a boy offers a...
There’s not much we can be sure of today. We live in a world of broken promises, broken families, backstabbing friends, and personal failures. And that’s just at church. The church Paul wrote to in Rome felt the same.
(Photo: Roman Forum. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
The Roman Christians needed to base their lives on truth rather than on circumstances that seemed to challenge truth.
We’re the same aren’t we? After a lifetime of disillusions, we’ve come to expect little else. We often hope for nothing in hopes we won’t be disappointed. It’s easy to get sucked into the black hole of hopelessness. It happens because we live in an a culture that keeps God at arm’s length, one that claims His name but declines His Lordship.
God is a package deal. And when we refuse all of God then we miss all of what He has to offer.
In refusing all of God we’re forced to fill those gaps with substitutes that disappoint and fail us. But the Sovereign Lord, the Creator of the universe, offers true hope—and here’s why: He is the only one able to make good on His promises.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome and shared 4 promises of God that also give you hope when you need it most.
No One Will Oppose You
If God is for us, who is against us? —Romans 8:31
If God is for Christians, then God is for the Christian. And if you are a Christian, then God is for YOU.
- Your parents may have neglected you
- Your friends may have abandoned you
- Your employer may have used you
- Your spouse may have forsaken you
- But God is for you
Of course, you will have many who oppose you. But hope comes as you realize it doesn’t matter who is against you if God is for you, because nobody beats God.
No One Will Accuse You
Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. —Romans 8:33
The only thing worse than blowing it is having others confirm the fact with their words. However, one day, no one will bring a charge against you that will stick in God’s judgment. Why? Because a Christian—even though now a sinner—already stands justified in the sight of God by faith in Christ who died for sins.
God promises that no one will thwart the process He began by predestining you to be conformed to the image of Christ. No charge can stick. God is the one in charge of the process. The promises of God confirm it.
(Photo: Roman Forum. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)
No One Will Condemn You
Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. —Romans 8:34
Others may condemn you and pass judgment on your spiritual life—or even your salvation. But remember Jesus, the only One who condemns, is presently interceding for you. Talk about security!
Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, was raised, and now is at the right hand of God doing what? Condemning us? No, He is interceding for us.
What a burden is lifted to look into your Judge’s face and see a Savior!
No One Will Separate You from God’s Love
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? —Romans 8:35
In moments of great pain, our greatest comfort is theology.
In spite of the raw emotions you feel in seasons of pain and confusion, you will experience nothing that CAN separate you from Christ’s love (Romans 8:38-39).
4 Promises of God to Give You Hope
These 4 promises of God give hope like an anchor for the soul:
- Who will oppose you? None, for God is for you.
- Who will accuse you? None, for God justifies you.
- Who will condemn you? None, for Christ intercedes for you.
- Who will separate you? None in all creation.
Whom He predestined, THESE He also called; and whom He called, THESE He also justified; and whom He justified, THESE He also glorified. —Romans 8:30
In a world that fails us and disappoints us, we need to cling to the One who never will.
Tell me what you think: Which of these promises of God means the most to you? To leave a comment, just click here.
Like This Post? Get the Whole Book!
This post is adapted from Wayne’s book, Waiting on God: What to Do When God Does Nothing.
• What do you do when the life God has promised you looks nothing like the life he has given you?
• If you find yourself waiting on God—or if you don’t know what God wants you to do next—this book offers a wise and practical guide to finding hope and peace in life’s difficult pauses.
You will discover what to do when it seems God does nothing.
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