God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8
If you’ve ever been robbed, wounded, or betrayed, you know it’s difficult to feel anything for the perpetrator except anger and a desire for justice. The Father experiences those feelings when people sin against Him. Yet somehow, He sees past them to what people can become when they are yielded to Him. He loves people so much He went to great lengths: prophesying of Christ’s birth, showing examples in real life (such as the prophet Hosea marrying Gomer, the wayward wife), miraculously impregnating Mary, sending His Son and showing Himself in Him for thirty-three years, and then sacrificing Him for sinful people. What great love!
In Matthew 5, Jesus says that the Father sends rain on the just and the unjust. The use of rain here isn’t a negative statement like raining on someone’s parade but a positive one as rain to grow food and have water to drink. His blessings surpass what anyone deserves.
The United States of America, as a whole, has committed many sins against God. Billy Graham quotes his wife, Ruth, as saying, “If God doesn’t punish America, He’ll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.” Looking at laws condoning evil, such as abortion, you might think that the United States is beyond even what God can do for it. But as Psalm 145:9 says, “…His mercy is over all that he has made.” Thank Him for blessings that are still available to this country. Pray for Him to continue to pour out His blessings, mercies and forgiveness. Pray for citizens and leaders alike to turn to Him in repentance and for help in times of need.
Today’s Verse: Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 5:43-48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
