Weekly Devotional - May 12th

What, then, shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not

spare His own Son but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give

us all things? Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 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. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake, we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

Romans 8:31-36

In verse 31, Paul acknowledges that Christians may have enemies, but God is stronger than any. However, he knows Christians may sometimes doubt whether God is on their side. So, in verse 32, Paul provides more assurance. The verb he uses for 'delivered' is the same verb used in the gospels to describe Judas' betrayal of Jesus. By using this verb, Paul reminds us that Jesus was not delivered up to his enemies because of Judas' greed, the priests' envy, or even Pilate's fear. Instead, Jesus was delivered to his enemies because of the Father's love. This is the ultimate assurance that if God has delivered up his son, then he will surely provide us with all that we need.