On the heels of the celebration of Christ’s birth, we carry into this new year the reminder that God is Immanuel, meaning “God is with us.” His Spirit reigns in all who call upon Him as their Lord and Saviour. He not only is with us, but He is also for us.
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one – for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” – Romans 8:31-34
There is nothing that we can do to earn our salvation, and there is nothing that we can do to earn His favour. We could never be good enough for such wonderful things. By grace we are saved through faith, and because we’ve been chosen by Him we’re given right standing with Him… not on our own account but His. (ref. Romans 8:30).
The certainty of God being for us, is wrapped up in grasping the weight of His love. “For I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39
Through different seasons in life, things shift, people fail us, our situations change or bring upon us great challenges, but our God never changes. Through the good, along with the hard, God is our constant help through trials and triumphs. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (ref. Hebrews 13:8) He is with us and He is for us. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
Responsive Prayer
“Father we celebrate Your great love for us. That You sent Jesus to earth, that while we were still sinners Your Son died on our behalf. Thank you for Your grace that made a way for us to come to You, a love that can never be separated from those who are in Christ Jesus. Thank you for being our constant through every circumstance. Thank You for being for us. In Jesus name, amen.”
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