03-03-2005, 07:22 AM
THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION ---
by Max Lucado
“If God is for us, who can be against us?†(Rom 8:31 NIV).
The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?†You could answer
that one. Who is against you? Disease, inflation, corruption,
exhaustion. Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul's
question, “Who can be against us?†we could list our foes much easier
than we could fight them. But that is not the question. The question
is, If GOD IS FOR US, who can be against us?
Indulge me for a moment. Four words in this verse deserve your
attention. Read slowly the phrase, “God is for us.†Please pause for a
minute before you continue. Read it again, aloud. (My apologies to the
person next to you.) God is for us. Repeat the phrase four times, this
time emphasizing each word. (Come on, you're not in that big of a
hurry.)
GOD is for us.
God IS for us.
God is FOR us.
God is for US.
GOD is for you. Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may
have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you; but within
reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God!
God IS for you. Not “may be,†not “has been,†not “was,†not “would
be,†but “God is!†He IS for you. Today. At this hour. At this minute.
No need to wait in line or come back tomorrow. He is with you. He could
not be closer than he is at this second. His loyalty won't increase if
you are better nor lessen if you are worse. He IS for you.
God is FOR you. Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run.
Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps. Listen for
him in the bleachers, shouting your name. Too tired to continue? He'll
carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He's picking you up. God is FOR
you.
God is for YOU. If he had he a calendar, your birthday would be
circled. If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If
there's a tree in heaven, he's carved your name in the bark. We know he
has a tattoo, and we know what it says. “I have written your name on my
hand,†he declares (Isa. 49:16).
God is with you. Knowing that, who is against you? Can death harm you
now? Can disease rob your life? Can your purpose be taken or your value
diminished? No. Though hell itself may set itself against you, no one
can defeat you. You are protected. God is with you.
by Max Lucado
“If God is for us, who can be against us?†(Rom 8:31 NIV).
The question is not simply, “Who can be against us?†You could answer
that one. Who is against you? Disease, inflation, corruption,
exhaustion. Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul's
question, “Who can be against us?†we could list our foes much easier
than we could fight them. But that is not the question. The question
is, If GOD IS FOR US, who can be against us?
Indulge me for a moment. Four words in this verse deserve your
attention. Read slowly the phrase, “God is for us.†Please pause for a
minute before you continue. Read it again, aloud. (My apologies to the
person next to you.) God is for us. Repeat the phrase four times, this
time emphasizing each word. (Come on, you're not in that big of a
hurry.)
GOD is for us.
God IS for us.
God is FOR us.
God is for US.
GOD is for you. Your parents may have forgotten you, your teachers may
have neglected you, your siblings may be ashamed of you; but within
reach of your prayers is the maker of the oceans. God!
God IS for you. Not “may be,†not “has been,†not “was,†not “would
be,†but “God is!†He IS for you. Today. At this hour. At this minute.
No need to wait in line or come back tomorrow. He is with you. He could
not be closer than he is at this second. His loyalty won't increase if
you are better nor lessen if you are worse. He IS for you.
God is FOR you. Turn to the sidelines; that's God cheering your run.
Look past the finish line; that's God applauding your steps. Listen for
him in the bleachers, shouting your name. Too tired to continue? He'll
carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He's picking you up. God is FOR
you.
God is for YOU. If he had he a calendar, your birthday would be
circled. If he drove a car, your name would be on his bumper. If
there's a tree in heaven, he's carved your name in the bark. We know he
has a tattoo, and we know what it says. “I have written your name on my
hand,†he declares (Isa. 49:16).
God is with you. Knowing that, who is against you? Can death harm you
now? Can disease rob your life? Can your purpose be taken or your value
diminished? No. Though hell itself may set itself against you, no one
can defeat you. You are protected. God is with you.