During a season of prolonged illness in my own life, I got to a place where I wondered if I’d ever be healthy again. Discouragement and depression set in. However, the turning point came when I actively searched Scripture and started memorising God’s promises as if my life depended on them. One of the greatest treasury of God’s promises is found in Romans 8. I have crystallised ten great and precious promises from this chapter.
Unlike us, God never makes a promise that He doesn’t keep. His promises are always dependable because God cannot lie. His promises are a secure anchor for believers in the eye of the storm, providing security and stability. In contrast, false promises are disappointing no matter how firmly you believe them. Like eating soup with a fork, you get a taste but no satisfaction.
Prayer is a special privilege and gift that God gives to every Christian. Some view prayer as a mystical practice like meditation or mindfulness, whereas the Bible describes prayer as speaking directly to God, through Christ who has given us access. It is one of the wonderful blessings of our adoption into God’s family. As Jesus said, our Father is ready to give good gifts “to those who ask him”. We have every reason to pray expectantly.
If we had x-ray eyes to see inside the invisible world of the cocoon, we would be amazed. A powerful metamorphosis is taking place in the unseen world, but we only see the effects when a butterfly finally emerges. How can a follower of Christ be sure that our waiting is not wasted, but transformative instead?
Gracious Father, how we praise you for your love, demonstrated so powerfully on the cross. ‘This is love, not that we have loved you, but that you loved us and sent your Son to be the atonement for our sin.’ Thank you for sending your beloved Son, who was despised, rejected, beaten, mocked and crucified. He sacrificed his innocent life, so that we might be freed from sin’s bondage.