Most Christians are very familiar with this passage in Romans. In five verses, Paul emphasizes that there is nothing that can separate us from Christ’s love.

If there were anyone that should know, he had certainly put each of these troubles to the test. They included “tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” In each case, he could boldly say that none of them was able to separate him from Christ’s love when he was going through those troubles.

The result is that he, and every Christian since, can be sure that Christ can enable us to be “more than conquerors through him that loved us.” We must notice that it is not our ability to endure trials, but it is His ability working in and through us that gives us that enablement.

As if the above list of possible trials were not enough, Paul expands it in verses 38 and 39. He adds: “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Jude encourages believers to “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life” (Jude 1:21). It is His love for you that will enable you to keep going. It has no comparison. Your love for Him will be strengthened when you focus on His love for you: “We love him, because he first loved us” (I Jn. 4:19).

By drawing near to God and staying as close as you can with careful obedience, you will come to know His love daily and in a greater way. His love can keep you going, help you be holy, and enable you to serve Him better.

In my last post, I showed what God expects of His people if they want His blessings. In this post, the blessings that He gives to those who are “godly” will be looked at.

1. (vs. 3) We are “set apart.” God considers us His own – what a privilege! It does not depend on being handsome, pretty, smart, tall or short – but you must be redeemed by the blood of Christ.
2. (vs. 3) “the LORD will hear when I call unto him” – He will answer our prayers (when they are for His glory).
3. (vs. 6) God will show us good when no one else will. He never leaves nor forsakes us.
4. (vs. 7) God makes His people be glad – “Thou hast put gladness in my heart” – with joy better than the world can know (“Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.”).
5. (vs. 8) He gives us sleep and protects us as we sleep. (“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”)

Christian, are you enjoying these benefits? You can. Do you know His gladness and are you able to sleep at night? God is more than willing to bless the godly because they are His. Is there some sin you need to forsake? If so, why not talk to Him about it now and let Him start to bless you more as you serve Him?

In this chapter, which starts out by indicating David that he is distressed by the wicked, he reveals that believers are “set apart” for Himself. These two words mean “to separate” and to “make a difference.” In other words, God pays special attention to His children and “will hear” their prayers because they are different than those that do not know Him.

The key to being special in God’s eyes – put in a privileged position – is revealed in the word “godly.” This word means that the individual is holy and living for God – faithful. Many Christians are not holy and they only offer excuses for it. God is not fooled.

The next few verses in this chapter express God’s will and expectations of the “godly.”

1. (vs. 4) “Stand in awe” – have reverence toward Him.
2. (vs. 4) “and sin not” – stay away from it – even in your mind and heart. It always defiles (makes unclean and unholy).
3. (vs. 4) “commune with your own heart upon your bed” – to think about His Word and will and then act upon those principles.
4. (vs. 4) “and be still” – take time to deliberately listen to Him. God only speaks in a “still, small voice” (I Ki. 19:12).
5. (vs. 5) “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness” – there ought to be a cost to your Christianity in the form of Christian service, tithes and offerings, praise to God, etc.
6. (vs. 5) “and put your trust in the LORD” – let your words and actions demonstrate that you trust Him and His promises.

Christian, are you “godly?” Are you living in such a way that pleases Him? Have you been without God’s blessing in your life lately? It may be time to get back to a relationship with Him where He will bless you and answer your prayers? Why not talk to Him about it now?