Convinced!

For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced--beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. ROMANS 8:38‭-‬39 AMP

When I read verses like this above, I go back and check my priorities and pursuits. Are they in line with the theme of today's extract? Paul wrote down these words out of personal experience and God's dealings with him. He had come through various experiences- had been beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, maybe at this time bitten by a snake, yet he was convinced, beyond any doubt, that God got his back. You don't say things like these if you are not sure of your ownership and assignment. You do not say things like this from the head; it is a product of God's direct dealing.

The foundation is being in God. When you are in Him, every other experience, no matter how unpalatable, has to go through him to get to you. If he does not sanction it, it does not hit you. If it comes, he has carefully crafted it to do you good and build your up. That's the functional direction of the latter part of today's extract, which talks about the unlimited love of God, which is in Christ Jesus. That is the place to be. It does not matter what the world promises you; if you are not located right, you are not entitled. Sonship is the path to inheritance; every other way is just circumstantial.

Paul had settled it in his mind that come what may, even death, he was covered by love. What if life is taken, like Stephen? What if I speak the truth and I am rejected, like John the Baptist? What if I come with love, and men respond with hate, like Jesus himself? Would my external circumstances determine my internal security? Even when the present is threatening, and the future is uncertain, I hold on to the eternal truth that I am safe in God's hand, no matter what else comes. I settle the question of my location first, then every other thing, like circumstances, experience and trials, are taken care of.

Everything else is temporary, of this earth, and with an expiry date. Only the love of God for me will last through this side of eternity and even into the eternity to come. I hold on to his love, and I know that with his love, I can overcome every other thing that will come. His time of favour is here.