Romans 8:38-39, NIV
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The other day Sky News introduced its headlines with these words, “All the wealth of the world is helpless against nature’s force and power.” Fires were raging out of control in California, destroying thousands of homes – many being the multi-million dollar homes of the very wealthy. A state of emergency had been declared in four counties and fear had clearly and understandably gripped the whole community as the wind took sparks from one location to another. Wealth was no protection from the destructive power of fire out of control.
For those whose security is in their possessions, the world has no answers to those who have lost everything they had depended on in disasters such as the Californian fires. None of us can know what may happen on any day of our lives. Disaster could strike at any moment. Fires, accidents, crashes, sicknesses, relationship breakdowns are happening all around us – none of us can be totally insulated from the possibility of something happening to us.
So how can we cope when bad things do happen? Paul has the answer in the words of our Scripture by reminding us that absolutely nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As long as our ultimate security is in Him, we have nothing to fear! And the security we have is not an insurance policy that can be bought by the wealthy, not even all the wealth in the world! It has already been paid for by Jesus on the cross. Even in the face of disaster, for those who know Jesus it is still “well with their soul”!
Prayer: Thank you Lord that my eternal security does not depend on earthly wealth. I pray that those who suffer because of earthly disasters may come to know the One who can save them from a far greater disaster in eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
