Devotional: When God Is For Us
Christian Devotion about Persecution, Opposition and our Victory in Christ
What then shall we say to
all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us?
- Romans 8:31 (AMP)
The verse before this one
speaks of us, believers, as those "…whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified,
and those whom He justified He also glorified…what shall we say to all these things…?" (V30-31). What we can
say to all these things is that God is for us! And if God is for us, no one will be successful against us. It may
look like they're succeeding in the face of persecution and tribulation. It may look like they're succeeding when
they place hinderances and obstacles in our way to try and frustrate our plans or overturn the work of God. It may
look like they're succeeding when they mock us or threaten us. It may look like they're succeeding when we're in
the midst of the opposition, but they're not! They can't succeed against
us if we have the right perspective. If we buckle under the opposition and start to feel 'offended', 'hurt', or
'rejected', then we are giving them the upper hand—we're allowing them to dominate our 'feelings'. Jesus faced
opposition, ridicule and disbelief from others, but didn't allow them to dominate His 'feelings'. He didn't get
hurt or offended by what others said. Jesus warned us that there would be tribulations, that we would suffer for
His name, but we have Christ's victory within us because He is victorious and has overcome the world—and He lives
in us! Any opposition we face is actually opposition to Jesus—it's opposition to the truth that we stand for. We
need to remember that. It's a 'spiritual battle' and people are not our enemies—Satan is! So, whatever the opposition
is that comes against us, it will not ultimately succeed because God is for us. He can turn any disaster around
for our good. Joseph's life is a prime example of this (Genesis 50:20).
Often God will turn the tables on what others have meant for evil and turn it for our good. We must remember this
especially when facing persecution or opposition of any kind. Isaiah 54:17 says, '"No
weapon that is formed against you will succeed; and every tongue that rises against you in judgement you will
condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the
Lord, and this is their vindication from Me," says the Lord.' We are in Christ Jesus, and He is in us—we are one
with Him and we belong to the Lord! Therefore, we will always be victorious in Christ Jesus. Nothing that comes
against us, no words or action, will ultimately succeed—even if it looks that way to us. We need to change our
perspective and keep our eyes on Jesus, our faith securely anchored in His Word of Truth and His praise and
thanksgiving on our lips. We must never give in or give up, but always remember that God is for us and if He is
for us, then who can be successful against us? No one! For God is mightier than all! © By M.S.Lowndes
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