Scripture Passage
Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (Romans 8:32, 35 NLT)
Observation
When difficulties come, I sometimes hear people respond with “How could God let this happen?” I’m generally amazed at that question—sometimes because it’s been a person’s own foolishness that has resulted in the difficulties he or she has encountered, but—when that's not the case—likewise because I don’t see that Scripture anywhere promises an idyllic existence to anyone, least of all those who have trusted Christ as Savior. I understand that preachers have sometimes painted the picture that way, but the Scriptures certainly don’t.
Indeed, Paul makes it clear in Romans 8 that all of creation—of which we are (obviously) a part—exists under the curse of sin and continually groans in anticipation of redemption. “With eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (Romans 8:21 NLT). Our “groans” are not the only cries that rise in hunger of a better day. Creation itself was groaning for God’s intervention long before any of us were ever born. Given our broken world, why should we be surprised when life is marked by difficult days?
Here’s the deal: Regardless of our difficulties, Paul’s Holy Spirit-inspired words assure us that we can be absolutely and unceasingly confident of all God has promised. The baseline by which we judge God’s care for us is not our difficulties but His incomparable gift. “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all…”—that’s the baseline—“won’t he also give us everything else?” (Romans 8:32 NLT) And the answer to that question is an obvious and resonating “Yes!”
And so I say with the Apostle Paul, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (1 Corinthians 9:15 NIV)
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