From 1961- 1994, there was a physical partition between East and West Germany- right in the heart of Berlin. The wall virtually went up overnight! Berliners woke up to find a barrier made up of coiled barbed wires and concrete blocks. The wall was 96 miles (154.5 km) long stood and stood between 115 and 15 feet (4.57 meters) tall. There were actually 2 walls built with a 160-foot death strip between them. There were 302 watchtowers, 20 bunkers, 55,000 land mines, 259 dog runs, and machine guns that were activated by tripwires.
The wall was built to keep the East Berliners from going into West Berlin to work- it was built to keep people in- Walls separate- As we conclude chapter 8 Paul writes, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” Paul says- I am convinced! It isn’t a thought, or just a consideration, or a possibility- he is convinced- completely certain about something or firm in one's belief with regard to a particular cause or issue. He wrote, I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s Love. He is completely certain that there is nothing- not a thing · not a single thing · not anything · nothing at all · nil · zero ·naught. Not one thing can ever—there is no time; past present or future- separate us- Keep us from- make a wall, between us and God’s love. That’s powerful! There’s hope in that verse- there’s a huge reminder that I have done nothing that will totally destroy Jesus’ love for me. There’s nothing he will not forgive, there’s nothing that can get in the way of His love for me. Let that soak in- when we’re in love we fill that way about that special person- we say our vows- until death do us part- saying that there is nothing that will get in-between our love for one another- yet, divorce is all around us- Unrealistic expectations make our marriages a war zone with walls separating one another. But Paul says, I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love.” God loves us. God loves His creation. God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son-so that we may have life with Him forever. That’s love- undeserved and selfless. That’s God’s love.
Paul elaborates: “Neither death nor life,” Death doesn’t even separate us from God’s love. Even when death takes us- God is there- His desire is that we go with Him in death- his heart grieves for those that choose eternal death without Him. Life as well can’t separate His love from us- we can choose to accept it or not- but He has already given it through His Son.
Then, neither angels nor demons” no matter the power of the spiritual world- neither the angels or demons can get between God’s love for us. The powers of the evil will try- but they are no match for His Love. Martin Luther King, Jr.said, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” The powers of darkness will try to get the best of us- But Jesus is love and He is more powerful than the darkest night or the blackest evil of a person’s heart.
This one hits home a bit more, “neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow” Can separate us from God’s love. We all have our fears and worries don’t we? Yet, even if we are afraid or worrying about tomorrow- He still loves us and is patient with us. He knows us- He desires that we remember His promises: “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:25-34. Jesus said- don’t worry- me and my Father got this! Even our fears over tomorrow- can’t separate us from His love!
And we’re to also remember, that “not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing in ALL Creation will EVER be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed to us in Jesus Christ!!! I have to say- I really love these verses! These verses fill me with hope, when I’m tempted to despair, they fill me with courage, when I am afraid, and trusting in this kind of love definitely leaves me feeling like a conqueror! As a believer- you can have this same confidence. You can trust in the Lord Jesus Christ- Our ultimate conqueror-
