Who shall separate us?

In Romans 8:35, Paul raises a question: ?Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword??

Matthew Henry summarizes an answer with two words: ?None shall.?

In this verse, there are seven fears we can worry about. That?s one fear per day.

Let?s examine the list:

1. Trouble - Psalm 46:1 says, ?God is our refuge and strength an ever present help in trouble.? This is a verse that I enjoy sharing with those whom are ill.

2. Hardship - Do you experience hardship or difficulties? Hebrews 12:7 says ?Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by His father.? Note - discipline does not mean separation.

3. Persecution - J. Vernon McGee says in response, ?No, my friend, because He won?t let it.?

4. Famine - This is often a fear. How often do we find food on our plate. God supplied manna to his children in the desert. Be thankful for food even if it is the same every day.

5. Nakedness - The fear of no clothing or nothing at all. 2 Corinthians 5:2-3 says, ?Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed we will not be found naked.?

6. Danger - What dangers do we fear? ?An English woman illustrated what it means to have Christ between us and danger. She said she was awakened by a very strange noise of pecking. When she went to the window, she saw a butterfly flying inside the window pane in great fright; outside a sparrow was pecking at the pane and trying to reach the butterfly. The butterfly did not see the glass pane and expected every minute to be caught; the sparrow did not see the glass and expected every minute to catch the butterfly. All the while the butterfly was safe because the glass was between it and the sparrow. So it is with the Christian who is abiding in Christ. God?s presence is between His child and every danger.?

7. Sword - The Christian is told to put on the whole armor of God for protection in the daily struggles.

One person said, ?You may trust the Lord too little, but you can never trust the Lord too much.?

Who Can Separate us from the Love of Christ? I agree with Fanny Crosby: ?Blessed Assurance - Jesus is mine.?

Have a blessed weekend.