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The 20 Verses You Love Most: #15 God Has This!

The 20 Verses You Love Most | Liz Curtis Higgs

Reading the Bible aloud can be dangerous. When you hear your own voice speaking these timeless words, when you sense God’s presence beneath, around, and through them, when you wish you could ignore the truth, yet desperately need to believe—then reading his Word into the silence just might undo your plans to resist what God is saying to you.

I remember the day I first discovered this verse—two verses, really, yet all one sentence—while reading Scripture aloud to a group of friends at a Bible study. I was so moved that I ended up weeping. Can it be true, Lord? Do you love us that much?

Many years later I received a letter from a woman whose experience mirrored my own: “That verse changed everything for me. I sobbed so hard, my heart burst open. God moved in and caulked the broken places. He was there for me and has been there for me every day, every moment since.”

Amen, and then some.

Perhaps you are stronger than we are, and can recite this passage without your throat tightening or your eyes watering.

Go ahead, beloved. Read this aloud. We’ll wait for you.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Nothing. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love.

For those of us who’ve done everything in God’s creation to ignore him, offend him, or deny him, these verses offer incredible hope.

We’re not too late. We’ve not gone too far. We didn’t blow it completely.
God is on our side. God loves us still.

Let’s get started.

Bible Open to Romans

I am… Romans 8:38

This is not the great I AM, not the Lord himself. This is the apostle Paul speaking. He uses “I am” in fifteen verses just in Romans. If that sounds like an ego run amuck, take a look at just two verses.

  • “I am not ashamed of the gospel” (Romans 1:16). Only Paul could make that statement about himself, so “I am” fits the bill here. (This verse also makes me teary. Such boldness, such conviction.)
  • “What a wretched man I am!” (Romans 7:24, which is not among our Top 20 faves). Only Paul could make such a confession. And I’m right there with him. What a wretched woman I am! No question. A blooming mess.

I really need to hear the assurance that’s coming next. You too?

…convinced that… Romans 8:38

Paul is “sure” (CEV); in fact, he’s “certain” (GNT); indeed, he’s “persuaded” (ASV). Truth be told, the man is “absolutely convinced” (PHILLIPS), and “beyond doubt” (AMP).

All right, then. If Paul’s in, I’m in, because Paul’s only in if God’s in.

God is definitely in. This promise is so big, this truth is so huge, it could only come from the Creator himself.

Not to give away the happy ending, but the list that follows includes all the things that might be able to separate us from the love of God. But they don’t. They can’t. And they won’t. Ever.

…neither death nor life,… Romans 8:38

While you’re on Planet Earth, you’re dressed head to toe in God’s love. When you go to Heaven, you will still be garbed in God’s love. “Nothing living or dead” (MSG) can get between you. Not even the living dead. (Sorry, zombies.)

Paul understood that “to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21), because either way, you are with God.

 Angel at Rest

…neither angels nor demons,… Romans 8:38

“Neither messenger of Heaven nor monarch of earth” (PHILLIPS) can interfere with your relationship with God. They are imposing creatures, to be sure. But not strong enough to separate you from the One who loves you.

As it happens, angels are called to protect us: “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

But demons or “dark spirits” (VOICE) are bent to destroy us: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour“ (1 Peter 5:8).

Yet, “the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised” (Joshua 23:10). Neither the enemy or his minions can get through God’s shield of love. Even the angels, bright and shining as they are, cannot steal our gaze away from our Beloved.

…neither the present nor the future,… Romans 8:38

The things we’re dealing with right now may seem like greater fears than death or demons. Yet God assures us that we can stop worrying about ”what happens today or what may happen tomorrow” (PHILLIPS), that we can give up fretting over “things impending and threatening” (AMP), that we no longer need to lose sleep over “anything in the present or anything in the future” (GW).

God already knows what your future holds, and it is good. Guaranteed.

When you find yourself slipping back into the habit of worrying, fretting, tossing and turning, remind yourself, “God has this!” He truly does, dear one. Truly.

God Has This!

…nor any powers,… Romans 8:38

What sort of “forces” (GW) are we talking about here? “Hostile powers” (HCSB), “spiritual powers” (EXB), even “the powers of hell” (NLT). Powerful powers, then.

Still, “no force whatever” (KNOX) is going to drive a wedge between our heart and God’s.

How can we be certain? Because Jesus is seated at God’s right hand “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22). They have to go through him to get to you. And that’s not going to happen.

Paul is convinced. I am convinced. How are you doing?

…neither height nor depth,… Romans 8:39

I’ve always found this phrase stirring, perhaps because it sounds so expansive, reminding us “how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18).

Since his love stretches so far, we’ve no need to live in fear of “a power from on high nor a power from below”  (PHILLIPS). Those  “powers in the sky.” and “powers in the depths” (EXB) are held at bay by his love.

Can they separate us from God? They “cannot!” (NLV)

Whole World in Hands

…nor anything else in all creation,… Romans 8:39

I love this. Paul has covered the spiritual universe like a blanket, yet he adds one more layer of comfort for us, just to be sure. “Nothing else in all the world” (WE), not “any other thing that is created” (CEB) is clever enough, strong enough, or patient enough to end our relationship with God that he has ordained.

…will be able to separate us… Romans 8:39

God’s commitment to us is far more lasting than a marriage vow. Not “’til death do us part,” since even death won’t separate us. “Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love” (MSG), and nothing ”shall be able to part us” (WYC).

…from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39

Love, love, love.

It’s all because of him, because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (MSG). This is how God showed us his love, ”revealed in the Anointed, Jesus our Lord” (VOICE).

Cara, one of our sisters who chose this verse, admitted, “When I feel weak and useless, I rely on this reminder that my connection with God is sustained not by my feeble attempts to seek him but by his stunningly powerful love.”

Well said, Cara. If I were going to pick one verse among our 20 to memorize, it would be this one. Tissues, please.

I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

Now it’s your turn

Can you recall a time when Romans 8:38-39 spoke to your heart, lifted your spirits, or got you through a tough patch? Take a moment to share your experience, knowing it will truly encourage others. Just add your response under Post a Comment below.

Next week, we’ll hop back to the Old Testament and unpack #14 of the verses you love. It’s short, but definitely encouraging. Can’t wait to find out what God has in store for us!

Your grateful sister, Liz

Your Sister in Christ, Liz Curtis Higgs

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P.S. If you could use a God Has This! bracelet, you’ll find them online at Gulf Coast Blessings.

 

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