If God Is for Us Who Can Be Against Us?

You know, brethren, we are living in a world that feels like there is much stacked against the people of God. We're surrounded on every side by ideologies. You know, ideologies that are running contrary to God's Word. We see constantly values promoted, and thoughts and mindsets, and just simply ways of life promoted, that oppose this way of life that you and I have committed to. We hear voices around us. Hopefully the TV is on, or the radio, when you hear these voices, but we hear voices around us, some subtle, okay, some very direct, but voices telling us that our beliefs are outdated, unreasonable, and simply aren't welcome here anymore. And this is the world we live in. We live in a world that increasingly discourages faith, and opposes the high calling of God. It opposes the things we strive to live day by day, in terms of the principles of God's Word, the fruits of our faith, and in many ways it can feel like we are swimming upstream, and indeed we are upstream against the current of a world that is going completely in the opposite direction. Frankly, these things can be overwhelming at times, and perhaps even a challenge to our faith.

Add to that the personal challenges that many of us face, just as day-to-day life. You know, health challenges, financial challenges, family challenges, job challenges, there's things that are really everywhere we turn. You know, we're not expected to live a life with ever having a challenge to confront and overcome. That is part of learning and growing, but you know, when you understand so many things are stacked against the way of God and the people of God. Indeed, it is a challenging place to live, and if we're not careful, doubt and fear can begin to creep into the hearts and minds of the people of God. Have you ever asked yourself whether you have what it takes to endure to the end? Have you ever asked and considered, can you live up to this calling faithfully? Can you reach the kingdom of God when such obstacles to your faith are stacking up all around? Again, it's a small group of people, right, in a vast world of humanity. But as I appreciate the first message that was given, Mr. Oliver covered the fact that we have our part to play in this, and absolutely we do. We must give it our best. I want to approach it today, really the same topic, from the perspective of what God does, what God does to see us through to the end, and the part that God plays. So the intent of today's message is to offer us encouragement, because in a world that pushes against God and the people of God, we can rest assured that the God we worship is a God who stands with us personally. Don't ever fear, don't ever doubt. The God we worship is a God who stands with us personally, and he is the one and only creator God who was personally committed to seeing us through to the end. This is encouraging amidst a world that is going the other way. The title of my message today is, if God is for us, who can be against us?

If God is for us, who can be against us? It's a very comforting question to ponder when we consider, indeed, what the answer is. If God is for us, who can be against us? Of course, these are the Apostle Paul's words, and they're words of encouragement to a people in his day who lived among a perverse and a crooked generation, and they extend down through time to you and I as the people of God today. In today's message, I want to focus on this incredibly encouraging scripture, reminding us that we are never alone in our calling from God. In fact, as we will see, God has given us everything we need to succeed. He is there, and He has promised, and He has provided, and indeed, even the terminology of His word is bent toward success. Now God says, your success is my goal. As Mr. Oliver said, we have to do our part. Again, these things are tied together inextricably in our faith. Let's begin in Romans chapter 8 today. Romans chapter 8, because here we find this phrase of the Apostle Pauls, and we're going to spend the vast majority of the sermon in Romans 8 today. Romans 8 is an incredibly encouraging section of scripture. I'm not going to go through the entire chapter. I encourage you in your time this week to do that, to read through and meditate on those words and to pray about them. They are indeed very encouraging, and they show forth what God has done and will do for us. Things that will guarantee, if we do what God has given us to do, guarantee our success. Romans chapter 8 and verse 31 then is this phrase directly. Romans 8, 31. Paul says, what then shall we say to these things? You know, all the things that proceeded in the preceding verses running up to this point, all the points he made showing God's provision for his people. What shall we say to these things? It says, if God is for us, who can be against us? Again, a very encouraging scripture. If God is for us, who can be against us? You know, at first glance, this word, if, can almost sound uncertain. Almost like, well, if God is for us, you know, it can almost sound like there's some doubt there. Kind of like when Satan confronted Jesus Christ and said, if you're the Son of God. Right? If, casting that concept into doubt. But that's not what Paul's doing here. That's not what this if means. Again, remember, this statement comes on the heels of everything he's already established in Romans 8, and here he makes it abundantly clear that God is with us. And he's driving that point home here throughout then to the end of the chapter. So the if here is not a word of doubt, is a word of confidence. You can be confident. You know, it's like he said, God has given you this. He has done that. He has opened the way in this manner. And if God is with us, which he is, then who can be against us? That's what he's saying. Since God is with us, what could ever, or who could ever, stand against us?

Ultimately, it is a question, and one that encourages us to think positively. So let's take some time today to unpack a little bit of a lead-up to this in the Apostle Paul's words. And as we do, we'll better understand why he asked this question, and why the answer brings such encouragement, and I hope and pray brings encouragement to us as the people of God. Let's back up just a few verses. Again, lay the context for his question. Romans chapter 8 and verse 28.

Paul says, and we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. This is another incredibly encouraging scripture. Again, as I said, this whole chapter is encouraging. Verse 28 again, we know, and we can have confidence in this thing, that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to his purpose. So we're talking about a relationship here ultimately, and we're talking about what it is that God can work out in our lives through that relationship. Understand, when Paul says all things, there's a lot packed into this verse. Paul says all things, when he says that, he includes everything in that equation. He includes the joys and the hardships of life. All things work together for the good. Now, he doesn't say that God causes all things to occur, or that God delights in all things that occur in our lives, but he is saying that there's nothing that falls outside of God's ability to redeem it and to use it for his good purpose.

As in, whatever we may confront in our life, and sometimes there are things that God intentionally, perhaps even puts there and allows, there's things the adversary may throw at us, things this world may confront us with, but no matter what it is, we can rest assured that nothing falls outside of God's ability to redeem it and use it for his good purpose.

Even the things that are painful, even the things that are senseless in the moment, aren't wasted in God's hands. And brethren, we must absolutely believe that, that God can take. He is the potter, is he not? We are the clay, and he can take the conditions that we encounter and use that to mold positive outcomes in us. But again, we must believe that as his people. So all things, Paul said, work together for the good. The phrase work together reminds us that God's work in our life is ongoing. Okay, that it is a process, that it doesn't happen all at once. If we're talking about working together, we're talking about some from here and some from there brought together, right? Our life experience five years ago, ten years ago, today, tomorrow, next week, next year, God can bring it all together if we are responsive to his call and make it something that can build for our future in a way that he is working out in our lives. Again, not that he causes these things in every case or delights in these things in every case, but he can redeem from loss a situation that makes no sense and turn it around into something that in hindsight we could recognize. God made sense of this thing that made no sense at all, and indeed it is a blessing. All things work together.

You know, along the way we might ask why. We might ask, what purpose does this even possibly serve? I can't figure it out, right? And that is a perfectly legitimate question for us as the people of God to ask at times. We can cry out to God and say, God, I don't understand. And the reality is that understanding may not come even in this lifetime, but what we must always know is that God is perfect and his will is perfect. And we worship a God that can work out all things for the good in the end. That must be a part of our confidence as his people. I hope it gives us comfort, brethren. I hope it gives us hope even when we don't understand why. Again, to recognize we worship of God who will work out all things for the good in the end. Furthermore, this verse assures us that God is intimately at work in our lives, right? If he's working these things out for us, he's at work. God is not distant. God is not withdrawn. God is not simply, you know, somewhere on his throne out beyond reach of his people. God is intimately involved in the life of his people, each and every day. His work is ongoing and it is always purposeful. So Romans 8 verse 28, again, this is just in the run-up. So much packed in here. It's a statement of hope. It's a statement of hope that tells us that nothing we face can derail what God is accomplishing in our lives. God remains at work in us each day, even when we don't fully see or understand the results that he will work out.

And that's where faith comes in, isn't it? Right? Faith is evidence of things hoped for. And, you know, this reaching out to things that are not yet seen. God has set a future before us, as Mr. Oliver said, and as he described, we have to see it. We have to believe it. We have to yearn for it and reach out for it by God's calling. Indeed, that is the foundation of faith.

Faith is trusting God's character, even when his plan for us isn't yet clear. We know the macro, right? The big overall plan. It's my Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom, Christ said. Okay, that's the macro. What is he doing day by day in our life? The micro, we don't always see and understand, but faith is trusting God's character, even when that purpose isn't yet clear. Hebrews 10 verse 38 tells us, the just shall live by faith. And this is where the rubber meets the road in our life. Is it faith, or is it not? Do we trust God, or do we not? Do we believe that he has our good at heart to see us through to the end, or do we not? And if we know that he does, and we believe that he does, then our part is to do our part and follow him in faith. So we're beginning to get a glimpse into the picture of how God has invested himself into our lives, how he stands with us and is personally committed to seeing us succeed in this calling. Another key phrase in verse 28 is, according to his purpose. Okay, we've been touching on this all along here. According to his purpose. That's how God works. That's why he does everything he does. It's according to his purpose to fulfill what it is that he wills to bring about. As we step into the next two verses, then Paul goes on to reveal God's purpose for us in five deliberate steps, and actually how God is bringing this forward. Again, it's a reassurance that yes, indeed, he is for us. We must never doubt he is for us. And this is how he is. Verse 29, okay, still Romans 8. Verse 29 says, For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, verse 30, whom he predestined, these he also called, whom he called, these he also justified, and whom he justified, these he also glorified. Okay, there's so much packed in here, so let's break these down into five brief steps and just understand clearly how God is for us through this process. So step number one is foreknown.

Foreknown. For whom he foreknew, Paul said.

Okay, foreknown. God knew beforehand what he planned to do with humanity. You know, before the Garden of Eden, before the creation of man, before sin ever entered the world, God had a plan. This wasn't just some accidental thing. God wasn't playing around for, you know, all these eons of time and finally created something and said, hey, that looks kind of interesting. Let's wind it up and turn it loose and see how this goes. You know, God had a purposeful plan before mankind was even created, and the creation of man was in the purpose of fulfilling what God had planned. He foreknew what indeed he desired in the creation of you and me.

The Bible tells us that humanity was created in God's image for a purpose. That purpose being to be members of the spirit family of God forever. Right? To be his sons and his daughters in his likeness forever. Even after Adam and Eve sinned, God didn't abandon his purpose. Genesis 3.15, we're not going to turn there, but I think we understand that's the first Messianic prophecy recorded in the scripture. Genesis 3 verse 15, okay, in which God promises a deliverer, someone that would come, someone that would, through the sacrifice of his life, redeem mankind from sin. So even as humanity was stressed out of Eden, God was promising a way back through the one he would send. That was his son, Jesus Christ. Hebrews chapter 2 in verse 10 tells us that God's intention was always to bring many sons to glory. Right? That's his favor towards us. That's his mercy towards us. That we don't just roam about in our own doing on this earth with no potential and no future. It has always been God's intent beforehand. His foreknowledge of what he would do to bring many sons and daughters to glory in his kingdom. He foreknew. Step two then, predestined. Predestined. Right? Whom he foreknew, he also predestined, Paul said, to be conformed to the image of his son. Understand when most of professing Christianity hears this word predestination, they literally get twisted up inside out with its meaning. It does not mean what most people believe that it means. Not in the context of the word of God. This word doesn't mean that God arbitrarily chooses some for salvation and others for condemnation. Like long before humanity was ever created, God said, I'm going to save this one and this one and this one and this one will be lost. Predetermined. That's not what God is about doing. He does not arbitrarily choose some for salvation and some for destruction. It's not what the Bible reveals. Instead, what the Bible reveals is that God gives everyone free will to choose. Okay, so I hope we understand this. God gives everyone free will to choose. To clarify this, I'll reference a couple verses, 2 Peter chapter 3 and verse 9. 2 Peter 3 verse 9, God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Right? It's God's desire at the time of his foreknowledge and at the time when he predetermined, predestined, predetermined what he would do in this plan of salvation. Right? It is not God's desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. And he has given us and indeed all of mankind in their time every opportunity and every tool we need to succeed and what God has determined from before our creation that he will bring to pass. As well, Deuteronomy chapter 30 verse 19, he says, choose life. Right? So there has always been a choice. God says, I set before you life and death, blessing and cursing, and I'm not indifferent to that. He says, choose life that you and your descendants may live. So in this context, predestination refers to God's prior plan and purpose. God determined in advance that he would begin with his redemptive work in a small group of people, a group called firstfruits. He predetermined, he predestined, that his creation of humanity would be given the opportunity to be formed into the likeness of his son. But again, we all have a choice. We all have our own part of this work to do. But firstfruits are part of his plan. A people he has called out of spiritual bondage and into a transformed relationship with him. And this calling to be firstfruits, brethren, does not eliminate our ability to choose. Again, as Mr. Oliver was highlighting for us today, we all have a choice to make each and every day. Some have chose to be here. Some have chose to be elsewhere.

Ultimately, God is the judge of these things. But we do have a choice. We do have a choice.

A people he has called out of spiritual bondage and into a transformed relationship with him. So predestination does not eliminate our choice. It defines the order of God's work.

Predestination says God had a plan, and he had an order to that plan. And he's carrying it out according to his purpose. It's not a determination of mankind's fate. You're locked into this path, or you're locked into that path. God determined a plan of salvation in a manner this would be carried out in a people who would be redeemed to himself in a reconciled relationship. And that takes us then to step number three here, which is called. Called. Whom he predestined, these he also called. God says, I will have a people who are mind. And in this day and age, prior to his son's coming, I will have a firstfruits people who are mind. And he has extended a calling. This is such a humbling concept, brethren, to consider. We're not here because of our own doing. You know, we're not here because we woke up one day and said, hey, that group looks like an incredibly fun social club to join. I think I'll go meet with them, you know, 130 every Saturday at this location. That is not what has brought us here together. Very likely none of us, or very few of us, would have any connection in this life. Apart from a calling, a calling, God extends this calling to us personally. And he is the one who brings us into this body. A couple of references for you. Jesus Christ said, John 6, verse 44, no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. Okay, it is a personal calling from God. It is a drawing to Jesus Christ, to that sacrifice, by which then we can be reconciled to the Father. But this doesn't happen of our own doing. It is the doing of God. John chapter 15 and verse 16, Jesus said to his disciples, you did not choose me, but I chose you. So there is a choosing in that sense, not who will be saved and who will perish. God is not willing that he should perish. But God is doing what he's doing, each in his own order. Christ the firstfruits, those of us today who have been called, and then one day the great harvest of humanity. But we're talking about a calling. Understand, brethren, this calling is more than an invitation. It is a sanctification. Okay, sanctified. What does that mean? That means set apart for holy purpose. That God has called us into relationship with him, set us apart in this world for his holy purpose. And that is unique. That is special. And it offers the assurance that God is for us each and every day. No matter what obstacles we face, what the world throws at us, what life circumstances allow to perhaps develop in our life, no matter what comes along, God has called us as his people. And it gives us the assurance that he is for us each and every day. So he foreknew the relationship he desired with mankind. He predestined a group of firstfruits, as is in our case at this time in his plan. And he has extended a special calling for us to be a part of that group. And then he did what was necessary to make this special relationship with him possible. Point number four is justified. Justified. Whom he called, these he also justified.

Again, brethren, the point of this message is we're walking through the steps that remind us that God is for us always. Consider what he's invested. Consider the focus of his work. It is you and me is bringing many sons to glory. Whom he has called, these he also justified. To be justified means to be declared not guilty. I've got to admit one of my favorite television series, not current, but from the past, is Law and Order.

You know, Law and Order is probably one of the only reasons I keep a Hulu membership alive, sang by a thread. But, you know, Law and Order. You know, it's kind of one of my go-to if I want to just kick my feet up and watch something.

I'm not talking about the spin-off series. I'm not talking about even that original series in the modern day. But there's a 10-year window or so of Law and Order from the 1990s and through the early 2000s that for me were really quite captivating and I enjoy that show. So, picture, if you would, a courtroom, right, as now what is investigated out here comes to a courtroom.

And so you have a courtroom, you have a judge on the bench, you have a jury, this group of people that's been selected to actually pass the verdict on the case. You have the person on trial awaiting his judgment, right? And as that show kind of builds to the suspense of it, you'll have the judge say to the jury, you know, they'll say, Mr. Four Person or Madam Four Person, has the jury reached a verdict? And they'll say, well, we have your honor.

And the judge will say something like, well, will the defendant rise? You know, stand on your feet and receive the verdict of your judgment. So the person stands and the judge will say then to the four person, how do you find? Right? And they say, in the matter of such and such, whatever that case was about, you know, we the jury find the defendant, and in terms of our conversation today, not guilty. Not guilty. Sometimes there is that relief of burden of guilt, not guilty.

And when there's a not guilty verdict, of course, these are actors right on the show, but you just see this wave of relief that comes over a person, and then this weight that's lifted off. And because now they can walk free. They've been acquitted of guilt, and they can walk free. Not guilty is the verdict. And in our Christian lives, brethren, that's justification. To be declared not guilty. Not by a jury of our peers, but by God, who is the ultimate judge of our lives. Justification is to be declared not guilty. Not because we didn't commit the crime.

Understand we did. That's the point. And we stand before the judgment of God, but to be justified, God says, I attribute righteousness to this one. Because they've repented. Because they've come under the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, my Son, through baptism. Had their sins washed away. The judgment on our lives, then, if we've gone through that process, is clear.

Not guilty. And if we walk in accordance to the calling of God, and live under this sacrifice daily, and come before Him on our knees when we stumble, we remain in that justified, guiltless position in His sight.

Made right is justified before God. Brethren, never forget what our justification personally costs God the Father and Jesus Christ. Never forget the price that was paid. John chapter 3 and verse 16, right? The most well-known verse in Christianity of the world around us. Of course, we believe it. It doesn't lessen the truth of it. God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. He gave, right? The Father offered the sacrifice of His Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. The love of the Father was so great that He offered the sacrifice.

The love of the Son was so great that He was willing to lay His life down for you and me so that we can be justified. That is the price of our forgiveness.

That is the cost of our justification. And, brethren, in light of such an incredible sacrifice, can there be any doubt in our mind that God is for us?

This is a case Paul was building, in building up to his statement of encouragement. But can there be any doubt that God is for us? After all, He gave us everything He had. Everything, the most important thing He had to offer up, His only begotten Son, for the sins of the world.

God has also given us His Holy Spirit. If you go back in Romans 8, you see that expressed for us. These who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. So He's given us everything we need to succeed. He is invested personally and intimately. And in light of that reality, brethren, of course He is for us. And finally, then, that brings us to point five of this section, which is glorified. Whom He justified, these He also glorified. In Romans chapter 8 speaks of this glory earlier in the chapter. So for me, I'll just flip my Bible over one page. Romans chapter 8 and beginning in verse 16. Let's consider the glorification that's being highlighted here.

Romans chapter 8 and verse 16 says, The Spirit itself bears witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God. And if children then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. You know, glorified as Christ is glorified. Right? Sitting in the form at the right hand of God that He had in eternity. He said, Restore to me that glory I had with you before the world was. Here, Paul brings it down to the point that you and I, if we suffer with Him, we will be glorified together with Him. Verse 18, he says, For I consider that the sufferings of this present time, okay, so it doesn't mean a free pass on any challenge in this Christian life, there will be obstacles, there will be people against us, there will be a world against us, there will be us against us, right? Oftentimes as well. And so there will be challenges, things that even rise to the level of sufferings, Paul says. But he says, I consider that the sufferings of this present time aren't worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected in futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope. It's always about the hope of what God is doing and what He has promised and what He will fulfill. Verse 21, because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Verse 23, not only that, but we also who have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, grown eagerly, waiting for the adoption, that is, the redemption of our body. And so to be glorified means to be fully transformed into the Spirit likeness of God and Christ. It's to enter the kingdom of God through resurrection, right? No longer bound by the flesh and the challenges and the corruption of the flesh, but to be made in His likeness, a new body, a new nature, and an eternal life. Ultimately, this is the completion of God's work in us. It is what He will fulfill. First John chapter 3 verse 2 says, when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. You know, we'll see Him as He is because we will be as He is, in the same form of the same likeness, of the same glorified spiritual state. And in that, we will be His children, and we will see Him as He is.

Verse 30 then, if we go back to verse 30, you'll notice how Paul speaks of this glory in the past tense. Again, at the end of the verse, right? These whom He justified, these He also glorified. You know, it's past tense. He speaks it like it's already taken place, and that's important as well, because we need to understand from God's perspective, the outcome is already certain.

As much as it depends on God, it's certain. And He can see the end as if it has already happened.

It's a future He sets before you and me.

That's the joy of this calling. That's the confidence. We worship a God who has both the will and the power to bring to pass what He declares, and He declares the end from the beginning. So in Paul's explanation of these whom God has brought along, all these steps, He is also glorified. From God's perspective, it is done. As much as it depends on God. But as Mr. Oliver brought out, it is not yet done as much as it depends on you and me. And we continue in this course, day by day. But again, God is for us.

Indeed, the same God who called us, who justified us, and walks with us each and every day is fully committed to bringing us into glory. He will finish what He has begun. He is not the weak link.

You and I are the weak link. Again, I'm not exploring that end. I appreciate the first message that took us down our part. But God is sure, and His promises are true. He will finish what He has begun. And now, with all this buildup, it brings us back to verse 31. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? If the one who foreknew us, in the sense of the plan of salvation for humanity, if the one who predestined a people to be called and respond and be conformed to the image of His Son, if the one who extended the calling and justifies us and will one day glorify us, if He is with us, who or what could possibly stand against us? It doesn't mean there won't be trials or struggles. The adversary is still around, right? Satan the devil, who desires to devour you like a roaring lion would, is still on the hunt. But I haven't filled this sermon with, you know, the strength of the opposition. Frankly, the strength of the opposition does not matter if God is for you. And that's Paul's point. Tell me who could be against you. The answer is none. None in any way that really matters. Not if God is with you and you walk with God. And do what it is He has called us to do. Again, doesn't mean we won't face challenges. But Romans 8.31 reminds us that such opposition won't determine the outcome of our life. God determines the outcome of our life if we are faithful to Him. And it is in Him whom you can place your trust. So God invested everything, and He is fully committed, and He brings us lovingly along the steps of this process. And the Bible tells us over and over again that He will see us through to the end. That He does indeed stand for us as long as we put our faith and trust in Him. So I just want to, we've spent almost the entirety, or the entirety of the message in Romans 8. I just want to exit Romans 8 for a couple passages, again, that reaffirm this point of just how much God is for us. Philippians chapter 1.

Philippians chapter 1, and we'll pick it up in verse 3. Again, the writings of the Apostle Paul, lest we ever doubt. Philippians chapter 1 and verse 3, Paul says, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine, making requests for you all with joy. He says, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day unto now, being confident of this very thing, okay, Paul's going to express a point to us that he is absolutely confident in. And how can he have confidence? How can he express it with confidence? Because he lives this relationship. He knows what God has done in his life, and will God indeed purposes for the outcome of his life. Being confident, verse 6, of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Again, Paul says, God finishes what he begins. He does not draw back or pull back or hide himself from us. For drawing near to God, he draws near to you, and he will finish the work he has begun. We can rest assured that when he starts a spiritual work, he does not abandon it midway. God is fully committed to the completion, and that alone tells us something very powerful. God is actively invested in our success. And he is for us each and every day. He is for us. And we must never doubt. Paul did not doubt. He says, I speak with confidence in this matter.

He is for us. He's for you and me. Jesus said in Luke chapter 12 and verse 32, he says, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. That's very encouraging. Actually, the first part of that verse, he said, don't fear, little flock. As in, you look around and you see the challenges of this world and the things that are stacked against your life from a physical perspective, don't fear, little flock. We are little flock. He says, it is your Father's good pleasure, his hope, his desire. It is what gives him joy to give you the kingdom of God.

That's a very encouraging concept. Psalm chapter 113 points to a beautiful picture of who our God is and how he relates to us. Psalm chapter 113, my point here is to show us that he is not distant, he's not detached. In fact, he reaches down to our level, pulls us out of the mire. Psalm chapter 113 and verse 4 says, the Lord is high above all nations, his glory above the heavens, who is like the Lord our God who dwells on high, who humbles himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth. Okay, so here it reminds us God is high, he is exalted above everything. He sits on a throne over all creation. We cannot approach God on our own, not apart from his calling and his blessing of mercy in our life, but again he is exalted above everything, but that doesn't mean he is distant or withdrawn or detached. What we see is God knows and he sees and he cares and because of that he intervenes. Verse 7 says, he raises the poor out of the dust and he lifts the needy out of the ash heap. Have you ever sat in the ash heap of life? Have you ever been dealt a challenge that you just, you know, we don't tend to rip our clothes and sit in sackcloth and ashes like used to be. Throw dust on our head and, you know, do all the things that kind of express our distress in the matter, but you know there's times in life we're sitting in the ash heap throwing dust on our head kind of like Job crying out saying, why God? But knowing you can't question him. You just have to see him as he is. The ash heap of life. Verse 7 again, and he lifts the needy out of the ash heap that he may seat him with princes, with the princes of his people. He grants the barren woman a home like a joyful mother of children. In what odd our response to that be? Well, the psalmist says, praise the Lord. Praise God. Hallelujah for his love, for his mercy, and indeed for his care. This reminds us that when we find ourselves low and discouraged and sitting in the ash heap of life, it is God who lifts us up, and it is God who raises the poor in the needy. And he sets them on the path again, ultimately the path anew unto righteousness and salvation. There's going to be times in life when we feel weak, when we feel worn down, and we're distressed. But, brethren, the point is we cannot stay there because God has called us to something greater. He's called us to look to him, to trust in him, to put our hope and our faith in him, and to brush ourselves off as he has lifted us up and carry forward towards him, believing in the promises of God, knowing that he is for us always, and he is present and committed and faithful, that he will see through in you what it is he has begun. That is a promise, as long as you do your part, God will always do his. So, if we go back to Romans chapter 8 in conclusion, we'll see that Paul gathers all of these truths together into really a powerful conclusion to this chapter.

Romans chapter 8 verse 31. Let's pick it up with our focus scripture for the day. Romans chapter 8 and verse 31. What then shall we say to these things? All that we've covered, all that we've considered, what shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Verse 32. He who did not spare his own son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? You know, Paul here proves the point. He said God didn't spare his own son. He gave his own son for you and for me. Then the question is settled, isn't it? Is he with us or is he not? Is he for us or is he not? Paul says absolutely he is. He has invested so much in you and me and his outcome and his purpose for us is true. Verse 33. Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? Okay, again it's a question but the same answer. If God is for you, who can stand against you? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died and furthermore is also risen. He was even at the right hand of God who also makes intercession for us. That's a whole sermon in and of itself that Jesus Christ ever lives to make intercession for us. He is the right hand of the Father and he lives for us as well. Isn't that what Paul said? Who makes intercession for us. Verse 35. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or the sword? As it is written, for your sake we are killed all day long. We are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Paul says, you know what? In this life there's going to be challenges and struggles and even in living for God and standing up for Jesus Christ in this world. You're going to be confronted. You're going to be counted as sheep for the slaughter. But what does that really matter to you and to me? If God is for us, verse 37, Paul says, yet in all these things, where more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I'm persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things present nor things to come neither height nor depth nor any other created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Brethren, if God is for us, who or what could ever truly be against us?