Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
You can’t depend on many things, but you can depend on what God says. There’ve been many times I’ve said things to God and didn’t keep what I said, but he’s always been dependable. No matter how in the valley we feel, there are things about God we can depend on.
Dependable #1: is verse 28. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. All things. It will all add up in the end. God is working on our behalf. If you have a big penny jar it means you have to count them to know how much you have. In order to get the sum of blessings you need to count them once in a while. Even when God seems like he’s not working, he is. God will work everything together. If you don’t obey and trust him you can’t claim this verse. It’s to those who love God.
Dependable #2: is verse 31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Look at what you have. In verse 29 he foreknew us; in verse 30 he predestined us. We are save-able or Jesus would not have died. Those he saved he calls justified. Then he has glorified. It’s a far better life to be a Christian. When we sing a hymn it’s a command to praise the Lord. When we sing ho-hum we should kick ourselves for a kickstart. If God be for us–WHO? WHAT?–can be against us? Nothing! God is for his people. Verse 32 tells us that God didn’t spare his own son and says how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Why would we think he won’t care for us?
Dependable #3: is verse 34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Jesus could choose to condemn us. Where we’ve fallen he could destroy us. Without the grace of God we fail and fall short of what God expects. Jesus chooses to set men and women free. Instead of turning us away he is the mediator between God and us. He makes intercession for us. He doesn’t condemn or stick his foot out to trip us up. In his mercy he intercedes.
Dependable #4: is verse 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Trouble? In situations you don’t know what to do? In lean times? The devil and the world will strip you down and rake you over the coals. But verse 37 says in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. The one who loves us overcame and through him we do the same. He conquered death, hell and the grave. Because he lives we live also. The devil was crushed when Jesus arose. Because he conquered, we are more than conquerors. We are beyond conquerors to reign with the Lord. We will reign with him forevermore.
Verses 38 and 39 go on to say For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Nobody is in power here on this earth, not really. God is on high and he reigns. The inseparable-ness of the Almighty to us is there with a love that nothing can come between. You can depend on that. It would be foolish to let anything come between you and the Lord. Nothing has to separate us and nothing can of itself. We are bound with an inseparable love.
We can depend on that. We can face the uncertain days, things present or to come. No wonder you and I can know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. If there is any doubt, shame on us. I’m thankful God is not like me. These are the things we can depend on. He backs up every word. Be more dependable so he can count on us.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 