by Rev Steve Nickodemus

Danger!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” 
Romans 8:35

When Glenn, and Amy, invited Margaret, and me, to the Saint Paul Rodeo it was literally Margaret’s first rodeo.  Raised in New York City, the sights, sounds, and smells of the rodeo were all new to her.  As you can see from the sign, she knew immediately that messing with the big Brahma bulls was nothing she wanted to do!

Saint Paul (not a reference to the rodeo, but the apostle) asks you and me, as believers in Christ, if anything, yes anything, can separate us from the love of Christ.  “Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”  That is a very important question!  Can any of the troubles of life separate you, and me, from Jesus our Lord?  Although we don’t go looking for trouble in this life, trouble finds us all. Even believers in Jesus.

Although we will not escape trouble, or danger, the Word of God assures you, and me, that nothing, “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.”

We have been sealed with Jesus Christ in our baptism, and nothing will separate us from Him.  His blood on Calvary has taken away our sin and made us His children.  No one, and no thing, will snatch us away from Him.

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul. It is well with my soul, It is well, it is well with my soul.”

…and that is no bull! Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado