Who Can Be Against You?

Hey, Y'all,

Well, the week (and the semester and school year for some of us :-) is drawing to a close--thank God. Got this a few days ago from my friend Olya and it's based on a quote of Max Lucado's (which I've read before but I forget in which book). Anyway, it's good stuff, especially for a Friday night (thanks, OlgaMona!)...

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31

The question is not merely, “Who can be against us?” You could answer that one. Who is against you? Disease, financial strain, busy-ness and exhaustion...Calamities confront, and fears imprison. Were Paul’s question solely, “Who can be against us?” we would list our foes and then (try to) fight them. But that is not the question he asked. The question is: "IF GOD IS FOR US, who can be against us?"

The first four key words in this verse deserve our attention. Slowly read the phrase, “God is for us.” Pause for a minute before you continue. Now read it again, aloud this time. "God is for us." OK, now repeat the phrase four times, this time emphasizing each word slightly differently. Come on, please, you’re not in that big of a hurry--do it, you'll see what I mean--like this:

GOD is for us.
God IS for us.
God is FOR us.
God is for US.

God is for you. Within reach of your prayers is the "knower" and maker of everything. God is for you!

God is for you. Not “may be,” not “has been,” but “God is for you!” Today. At this hour. At this very moment. As you read this sentence, He is with you. He could not be closer than He is right this second. His loyalty won’t increase if you are "good" nor lessen if you are "bad." He is for you. Period.

God is for you. Turn to the sidelines: that’s God cheering your run (or walk)(or crawl). Look past the finish line: that’s God applauding your steps and encouraging you onward and upward. Too tired to continue? That's Him reaching down to carry you. Too discouraged to fight? That's Him picking you up. God is for you.

God is for you. If He had a calendar your birthday would be circled. If he drove a car, your name would be proudly adhered on his bumper. Did you know he has a tattoo? Want to know what it says? “I have written your name on my hand,” He declares in Isaiah 49:16. “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne?” God asks in the previous verse (v. 15). What a bizarre question, huh? I mean, you mothers, can you imagine feeding your infant and then later asking, “What was that baby’s name again?” No! Of course not! I’ve seen you. You stroke their hair, you touch their face, you say and sing their name over and over. Can a mother forget? No way. But “even if she could forget…I will not forget you,” God pledges.

God is with you...God is for you.


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