“For All” – Day One

30 Aug “For All” – Day One

Scripture: Romans 8:31-35a NLT – “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.   Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?”

Observation: The writer, Paul, shows that God is always with us, he is for us, and will never leave us.

Application: It is hard to fathom that the Creator of the universe has a never-ending love for us.  He loves us so much that he even gave his Son, Jesus, to come and die for us so we can stay connected to God.  Jesus didn’t stop there; he is still pleading our case before God every time we fall short, forever keeping that connection between God and us.  It is because of what Jesus has done for us that we are now in right standing or justified with God.  What that means for us is when we find ourselves falling short, God is there to pick us up without condemning us.  There is nothing we can do, there is nothing that anyone can say that could banish us from God.  Even when our enemy displays our bad choices and shortcomings to God, God confidently says “not guilty”.

I remember a time in my life when I was living less than God’s best for me.  I remember feeling so ashamed and sorry for myself that I talked myself into believing that God could never forgive me or use me again.  There were people that knew of my shortcomings and agreed that I would never be used by God again, and he would never be with me again.  I remember thinking, “How could I ever make things right with God?”  Saying that I am sorry just didn’t seem enough.  After my pity party ended, I remembered that as a believer in Jesus, I get to live in the grace he has provided me (2 Timothy 1:9).  I realized that I am forgiven and I still have a seat at God’s table.

Sometimes our environment makes it easy for us to feel like we don’t deserve to have a relationship with God.  The good news is that this relationship isn’t merit-based, meaning we can’t earn it.  God, through Jesus, paid our debt of sin so that we can boldly pursue our relationship with him. So even on our worst days, God is for us.  When we feel far from him, he still does not withhold anything from us.  What can come against us when God is for us?  The answer is us.  We must make the choice to put down our shame and believe what he says about us and walk in the grace that’s been provided for us.  God fiercely loves us. 

Prayer: Jesus, help me to remember that you love me, and you are for me when I fall short.  Help me to remember that I cannot do anything where you would withhold your love for me. I choose to give you my shame and my sin and take your grace.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mark McDonald

Journey Worship Area Coordinator

Mark McDonald has been serving at The Journey for almost four years.  He currently serves as a Journey Worship Area Coordinator, plays keyboards, and is part of Journey City MSC as a songwriter and producer.

Going Deeper: 

• Read Ephesians 1:4-8
• Read Ephesians 2:4-5
• We hope this devotional will help you grow closer to God as you dive into his Word. Unsure how to go about this? Have questions? Connect with us here.

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