Inseparable - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 10
Inseparable
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword...? For 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 8:35-39 (NIV)
Have you ever felt like God was nowhere to be found? Chaos and confusion seem to be your constant companions, yet it appears you are battling through it all alone. Despite your best efforts, you fail to recognize the presence of the Lord with you. The silence and His apparent absence leave you discouraged and disappointed. Where is the Lord?
The Word of God assures us that “…the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you, (Deut. 31:6, NIV).” Even when we can’t see it, He is with us. His Holy Spirit remains within us. His Word also promises, “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Why do we feel so distant from our Heavenly Father if these promises are true?
The perceived chasm between us and the Lord is likely the result of our choices and actions. Our disappointment, hurt, or confusion about circumstances in our lives often causes us to retreat from our trustworthy source of comfort. We may be fully aware of this withdrawal if there is apparent resentment or frustration. Perhaps we question God’s goodness and justice when faced with unwelcome and sometimes shocking dilemmas. In other seasons, we find ourselves far from the Lord and have no idea how we got there. We believe God has abandoned us, but the truth is, we allowed distraction, the busyness of life, and the things of this world to consume our thoughts. Before we know it, our hearts have waxed cold, and we struggle to feel a sense of intimacy with the One we love.
Regardless of how or why we may have wandered away from the source of Living Water, there is less distance than we imagine between us and the Lord. Today, our scripture from Romans chapter eight boldly declares that there is NOTHING that can separate us from the love of God. Not hardship, not persecution; not famine or sword, not height or depth, not even death or life… There is nothing in all of creation that can separate us from the love of God. Isn’t that so incredibly powerful? Nothing you can or cannot do would cause the Lord to abandon you. There are no circumstances that would compel Him to distance Himself from you. No failures, no sin… not even the finality of death itself can disconnect you from your Heavenly Father.
This kind of constancy is unfathomable to us. In a world where divorce rates are high, loved ones are lost to disease, and everything here on earth comes to an end, an eternal, unconditional commitment to love us and remain with us is almost beyond our comprehension. Yet, this is the height and the depth of God’s love for us. No matter where you find yourself today, He is near. He has not left you or abandoned you. Turn to Him today and remember… His love for you is inseparable.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Have you felt like God was distant in your life? If so, how does today’s devotional shift your perspective? Can you see how scripture clearly illustrates God’s faithfulness and nearness to you? Do you believe that the Lord would never abandon or forsake you? Why or why not?
Take some time today to ask the Lord to show you areas of your heart where you have wandered from Him. Have you been distracted, preferring and prioritizing the things of this world and the busyness of life instead of spending time with Him? Or have painful experiences caused you to question God’s goodness in the midst of your hardships? No matter where you find yourself today, know that the Lord is there and patiently waiting for you to crack open the door of your heart and invite Him again.
Further Reading:
Romans 8
Psalm 145
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/sutlafk
To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter. If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.
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Related Resource: Relapse, Trauma, and the Power of Community
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