Overwhelmingly conquer through Jesus.

Romans 8:37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. I hope we are greatly encouraged today by Rom. 8:37. Paul had been telling his readers that God was for them, even in their suffering - tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword. I’m encouraged by the fact that as Paul wrote these words, he had experienced the overcoming power of the love of Christ in all those things. He delineated his suffering to the Corinthians in 2Corinthians 11:23-27. “Are they servants of Christ? — I speak as if insane — I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” Yes, he says, “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.” His point is clear: God’s love revealed and poured out in Jesus Christ satisfies my soul more than life, health, comfort, safety—more than anything. We know God is for us and that He causes all these things we have suffered to work together for our conformity to the image of His Son. Therefore, in all these things, we don’t just get by somehow, we overwhelmingly conquer them through the life of Jesus Christ dwelling in our mortal bodies. He loves us! Do you know of this overcoming power in your life? If God’s love has been poured out in your heart by the Holy Spirit, you cry out, “Abba, Father”, and you suffer with Christ, rejoicing in your tribulations, then yes, you know exactly what Paul was talking about in this verse. If not, then I encourage you to fix your hope on the joy set before you because of the love of Christ displayed on your behalf even while you were sinner. He died for you for the glory of God—that you might receive the inheritance of the righteous—sharing with Him the glory of God. When Jesus returns all the love we have poured out to one another with Jesus will be seen and all the glory will go to Jesus to the glory of God. Fix your eyes on the joy set before you as you live to love with Jesus. You will overwhelmingly conquer all things in this world. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com