GOD IS FOR US (The Power of “If”)
REFLECTION
One of the most difficult words in the English lexicon to completely grasp is the tiny two-letter word “If”. Most of us understand how to apply it grammatically, but the full breadth and magnitude of the word is staggering. It has appropriately been labeled the biggest little word in the English language. This teeny tiny conjunction / preposition has endless possibilities.
Depending upon the translation, “If” shows up in scripture more than 4,700 times and specifically used as a conjunctive imperative more than 1,600 times. The Lord Jesus Christ was masterful with His use of the word “If” to often draw a stark contrast between light and darkness and life and death. In John 14:15, Jesus, says, “If you love me, then keep my commandments.” In John 15:7, He says, “If you abide in me, and My words in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
The Apostle Paul, who authored most of the New Testament, uses the word “If” in each and every one of his amazing letters. One of the staples in Paul’s great treatise to the Romans is found in Romans 8:31 where he asks two questions which captures the most startling life changing statements in all of scripture. 1) What shall we say to these things? and 2) “If” God is for us, who can be against us? The implication of the “If” in part B of this verse is really more of a declarative statement than a hypothetical. For those who have placed our complete faith in the finished work of the crucified Jesus Christ, there is absolutely no possibility that God might not be for us.
The truth of Paul’s statement allows the believer to rest in the reality of the magnitude of God’s Sovereignty. This means the God's omnipotent power is on display in creation in Genesis 1:1. It is on display when Jesus talks in Matthew 10:26-33 about His knowledge of a sparrow falling to the earth and knowing the specific number of hairs each of us has on our heads. And if He is omnipotent, then our all powerful God is with you today in any trial you may face.
SCRIPTURE
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
- Romans 8:31-37
PRAYER
Father, please help us to drown out the noise from the enemy. Thank you for the power that you have ignited in the little word “If”. Give us the courage to trust in Your amazing promises in Your Word. You are the living Word and only You have the words for both eternal life as well as the practical application needed for our daily living.
Lord Jesus, You tell us in John 12:32, “If” (when) I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Jesus, please draw us to Thee by the Power and conviction of your Holy Word.
Lord God, please help us to believe that because You are for us, there is literally no power on earth or in hell that can prevail against us. You are the great I AM and the Great Amen.
We humbly ask these things in Jesus’ Mighty & Unmatched Name.
Amen
One of the most difficult words in the English lexicon to completely grasp is the tiny two-letter word “If”. Most of us understand how to apply it grammatically, but the full breadth and magnitude of the word is staggering. It has appropriately been labeled the biggest little word in the English language. This teeny tiny conjunction / preposition has endless possibilities.
Depending upon the translation, “If” shows up in scripture more than 4,700 times and specifically used as a conjunctive imperative more than 1,600 times. The Lord Jesus Christ was masterful with His use of the word “If” to often draw a stark contrast between light and darkness and life and death. In John 14:15, Jesus, says, “If you love me, then keep my commandments.” In John 15:7, He says, “If you abide in me, and My words in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
The Apostle Paul, who authored most of the New Testament, uses the word “If” in each and every one of his amazing letters. One of the staples in Paul’s great treatise to the Romans is found in Romans 8:31 where he asks two questions which captures the most startling life changing statements in all of scripture. 1) What shall we say to these things? and 2) “If” God is for us, who can be against us? The implication of the “If” in part B of this verse is really more of a declarative statement than a hypothetical. For those who have placed our complete faith in the finished work of the crucified Jesus Christ, there is absolutely no possibility that God might not be for us.
The truth of Paul’s statement allows the believer to rest in the reality of the magnitude of God’s Sovereignty. This means the God's omnipotent power is on display in creation in Genesis 1:1. It is on display when Jesus talks in Matthew 10:26-33 about His knowledge of a sparrow falling to the earth and knowing the specific number of hairs each of us has on our heads. And if He is omnipotent, then our all powerful God is with you today in any trial you may face.
SCRIPTURE
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
- Romans 8:31-37
PRAYER
Father, please help us to drown out the noise from the enemy. Thank you for the power that you have ignited in the little word “If”. Give us the courage to trust in Your amazing promises in Your Word. You are the living Word and only You have the words for both eternal life as well as the practical application needed for our daily living.
Lord Jesus, You tell us in John 12:32, “If” (when) I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Jesus, please draw us to Thee by the Power and conviction of your Holy Word.
Lord God, please help us to believe that because You are for us, there is literally no power on earth or in hell that can prevail against us. You are the great I AM and the Great Amen.
We humbly ask these things in Jesus’ Mighty & Unmatched Name.
Amen
Posted in 21 Days of Prayer \\\'24
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2 Comments
Amen!!
Amen! Brings a whole new perspective to that small but mighty word.