The Strength of Our Faith
Sunday’s Verses:
From Romans 8:38-39 ESV
"For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
There are days we feel strong in our faith and days when our faith feels like a thin, flickering flame. But notice what Paul does not say: Our confidence does not stand in our strength of faith.
Our confidence stands in the strength of Christ’s love.
Look how long Paul’s list is. Death cannot separate us from God’s love. Life with all its struggles cannot separate us from God’s love. Our fears today and uncertainties about tomorrow cannot steal our confidence. No spiritual force, no earthly power, no distance and, Paul says, “nothing in all creation” will ever sever us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
That is gospel confidence. The barriers that separate us from God have already been torn down. Jesus died on the cross and absorbed our sins. He rose from the dead conquering the grave. And in Holy Baptism, He took you to Himself. He does not give up on those whom He has claimed.
Martin Luther said Christians have often been tempted to tie our confidence to our feelings. When trouble comes we must remember that our confidence does not stand in our fluctuating emotions. It stands in who Jesus is. If we feel distant from God, we look not to our feelings, but to Christ who was raised from the dead. His truth will remain, and His promises will not fail us.
When trouble comes and you find yourself battling sickness or sorrow or disappointment or fears about tomorrow – meditate on verses like these. They are God’s promises spoken to you as His beloved child. “You are Mine, and nothing will separate you from My love.” The love that began on the cross will continue through every tribulation and sunny day of this life until you are with Him forever in glory.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, thank You that our confidence in You is secure because of Jesus Christ. When trouble crowds our minds and our fears threaten our faith, remind us that nothing in heaven or on earth can separate us from Your love. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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