Nothing Can Separate You From The Love Of GodSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Are you also fretting about the lack of a child? Are you young girls vexing yourselves, as you have not found your life-companion yet? God is mighty enough to be with you and give you victory in all things. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:36)
We are not destined by God to lead our lives ceaselessly in tears and tribulations. We are more than conquerors. But, according to the Bible the sincerity of our love is being tested (1 Corinthians 8:8). When we hold on to our Lord, with great love, temptations are sent to assail us. Nevertheless when we cling to Him, singing all the while, ‘I will believe, come what may; I will follow Him even when forsaken by all.’ Our Lord will assure us, ‘Child, I am always with you and will liberate you.’
“All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12)
One of the saints of the Old Testament, Job was a blameless man and one who feared God and shunned evil. Though he was dear to God, he faced a plethora of trials. He lost all his properties and wealth; he lost his children too, He underwent a great agony caused by the boils, which erupted all over his body. His wife cursed him and his friends despised him. Despite all these turmoils, he ‘did not sin with his lips’; nor did he complain of God. He asked if we should not accept adversity when we accept good things from God. He declared; ‘Though He (God) slay me, yet will I trust Him’ (Job 13:5). He firmly asserted; “He does great things past finding out, Yes, wonders without number.” (Job 9:10). God had not only granted him life and favour, but had preserved His spirit as well (Job 10:12). After he was tested, he came forth as gold (Job 23:10). In the end, the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Job was able to abide in the Lord steadfastly as he had an unwavering trust in the Lord.
Our Lord has also foretold us: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
My dear friends, when you encounter tribulations do not be dismayed. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world; our faith” (1 John 5:4). The same Lord, who gives us the stubborn faith and hope that He is mighty enough to save us, is capable of granting us victory.
"We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”(Romans 8:28)
Joseph’s brothers intended to harm him, saying, “He is a ‘dreamer’; let us see how his dream is fulfilled, if he is destroyed”, they inflicted a great wrong on him. But Joseph loved God with his whole heart and steadfastly stuck to Him, He saved him and exalted him. At last he told his brothers, "But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20)
My affliction in my life was that I didn’t have a child for three years after my marriage. In the backdrop of our society, I had to undergo derision; but at that time I clung on to God firmly. Like Hannah, I cried aloud, ‘O Lord, I am Your own child; I don’t have to face the scorn of others; help me.” In the midst of that agony, I abode in God. So the Lord blessed me abundantly, with out any inadequacy He released me from the scandal mongering people and enabled me to face those people, with my head held high. He proved to my relatives that He is truly a Helper to people who rely on Him.
Friend, are you also fretting about the lack of a child? Are you young girls vexing yourselves, as you have not found your life-companion yet? God is mighty enough to be with you and give you victory in all things. He will grant you the capability to abide in Him and reflect His incomparable love to others.
Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father,
Help me not to backslide in my life even when I go through sorrows, insults and shame. Give me Your grace to have confidence that after being tested I will shine forth as gold. Encourage me to love You with all my heart and hold on to You as Your favourite child. Let nothing separate me from Your love. Change all my tears into joy. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray.
Amen. |