In our Bible study this week, we have talked about the marvelous truth in Romans 8 that God loves us. In fact, He loves us so much that He showed us the extent of His love by sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so that we could spend eternity with Him if we have placed our faith in Him. God goes to great lengths in Scripture to show us how much He loves us. While we are meant to walk in His love and be confident that we are loved by God, our life’s circumstances may at times bring us to question God’s love for us, especially when we walk through suffering. Today in our Bible study, we will be reminded to take heart, because even in our suffering and difficulties, we can be confident in God’s deep love for us.
After teaching the truth that those who are in Christ Jesus live in freedom instead of condemnation, the apostle Paul asked this question in Romans 8: “Can anything separate us from Christ’s love?” The answer to this question is “No!” Not one thing or person can separate us from the radical love of God. Next, Paul explained that we cannot conclude, when we face trials, that God does not love us. He wrote, “Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death” (verse 35). Quickly, Paul answered this question in the next verse, “No!” Our temporary present circumstances are not indicators of God’s love (or lack of love). Even when we walk through suffering and trials here on this earth, we can be confident of God’s love.
The remarkable truth from Scripture is that because God loves us, He walks with us through our difficulties when we face times of suffering. God gave this message to the people of Israel in Isaiah 43: “When you walk through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of opposition, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (verse 2). Yes, we will face all kinds of trials and opposition during our time on this earth, but God will walk with us and be with us through each one of the trials we face because of His deep love.
You are deeply loved, my friend. Your Heavenly Father loves you so much that He will never leave you, and He will walk with you through every heartbreak, heartache, and trial you walk through. You are never alone. You are deeply loved by God, Who never leaves you. After all, one of the names given for Jesus is “Immanuel, which means God is with us” (Matthew 1:23).
Take a few moments to reflect on God’s great love toward you. If you have not already, write out your two-minute story, which is the story of the difference Christ has made in your life. This story consists of what your life was like before Christ, how you came to know Christ, and the difference Christ has made in your life. If you have already written out your story, practice sharing it three times today. The more familiar you are with your story, the more ready you will be to share it with others when the opportunity to share your faith arises. Let your story be a reminder of how much God loves you, even as you walk through the struggles and difficulties that come with living on this earth.
“God, as I walk through the struggles and difficulties that come from living here on this earth, lead me…”
1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
O Israel, the one who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
I have called you by name; you are mine.
2 When you go through deep waters,
I will be with you.
When you go through rivers of difficulty,
you will not drown.
When you walk through the fire of oppression,
you will not be burned up;
the flames will not consume you.
3 For I am the Lord, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom;
I gave Ethiopia[a] and Seba in your place.
4 Others were given in exchange for you.
I traded their lives for yours
because you are precious to me.
You are honored, and I love you.
5 “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
I will gather you and your children from east and west.
6 I will say to the north and south,
‘Bring my sons and daughters back to Israel
from the distant corners of the earth.
7 Bring all who claim me as their God,
for I have made them for my glory.
It was I who created them.’”
8 Bring out the people who have eyes but are blind,
who have ears but are deaf.
9 Gather the nations together!
Assemble the peoples of the world!
Which of their idols has ever foretold such things?
Which can predict what will happen tomorrow?
Where are the witnesses of such predictions?
Who can verify that they spoke the truth?
10 “But you are my witnesses, O Israel!” says the Lord.
“You are my servant.
You have been chosen to know me, believe in me,
and understand that I alone am God.
There is no other God—
there never has been, and there never will be.
11 I, yes I, am the Lord,
and there is no other Savior.
12 First I predicted your rescue,
then I saved you and proclaimed it to the world.
No foreign god has ever done this.
You are witnesses that I am the only God,”
says the Lord.
13 “From eternity to eternity I am God.
No one can snatch anyone out of my hand.
No one can undo what I have done.”
The Lord’s Promise of Victory
14 This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“For your sakes I will send an army against Babylon,
forcing the Babylonians[b] to flee in those ships they are so proud of.
15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
Israel’s Creator and King.
16 I am the Lord, who opened a way through the waters,
making a dry path through the sea.
17 I called forth the mighty army of Egypt
with all its chariots and horses.
I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned,
their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.
18 “But forget all that—
it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
19 For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.
20 The wild animals in the fields will thank me,
the jackals and owls, too,
for giving them water in the desert.
Yes, I will make rivers in the dry wasteland
so my chosen people can be refreshed.
21 I have made Israel for myself,
and they will someday honor me before the whole world.
22 “But, dear family of Jacob, you refuse to ask for my help.
You have grown tired of me, O Israel!
23 You have not brought me sheep or goats for burnt offerings.
You have not honored me with sacrifices,
though I have not burdened and wearied you
with requests for grain offerings and frankincense.
24 You have not brought me fragrant calamus
or pleased me with the fat from sacrifices.
Instead, you have burdened me with your sins
and wearied me with your faults.
25 “I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for my own sake
and will never think of them again.
26 Let us review the situation together,
and you can present your case to prove your innocence.
27 From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me;
all your leaders broke my laws.
28 That is why I have disgraced your priests;
I have decreed complete destruction[c] for Jacob
and shame for Israel.
