Bible Readings: Romans 8:26-39; Psalm 44:20-26 20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or spread out our hands to a foreign god, 21 would not God have discovered it, since he knows the secrets of the heart? 22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.23 Awake, Lord! Why do you sleep? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever. 24 Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression?25 We are brought down to the dust; our bodies cling to the ground. 26 Rise up and help us; rescue us because of your unfailing love. Psalm 44:20-26 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 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 Think about it. We are children of God, loved…just as Jesus is loved by the Father. And nothing will separate us from God, ever. However, it does need to be said that God will not force us into this relationship. At any time we may choose to go our own way and, in doing so, we condemn ourselves. But this doesn’t mean that God will cease to call us back with his grace. Like the father in Jesus’ Prodigal Son parable, God will always be waiting for our return home. Because of God’s great love, we don’t need to fear anything. Nothing can separate us from God’s steadfast and faithful love through Jesus Christ. Even in the worst of times when it feels like we are facing “death all day long” (Psalm 44:22; Romans 8:36), not all is ever lost. In Christ, we have a hope that has not yet been fully realized, but we stand firm and confident that everything will one day be made right and all of creation will be redeemed and restored. Heavenly Father, your love has captured me. Help me to always securely rest in that, no matter what life throws my way. Give me strength and a faith full with hope in Jesus Christ. Amen.