³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—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.

Romans 8:35-39

Dear God, the New Living Translation (NLT), which I enjoy reading, adds a few words here that the other translations don’t have. They don’t change the meaning, but I do think they add some clarity. The middle of verse 35 says, “Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity…?” The other translations just jump right in aftr the first question and say, “Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution…?” But I think the NLT makes explicit what is implied by the other texts. It’s an important question for all of us to answer, but it’s easy to miss if it’s not made explicit: “Does it mean you no longer love me if I have trouble…?”

I’m not sure I’ve ever felt unloved by you, but I’ve certainly felt let down before. I felt “disappointed,” as a pastor friend put it one time. Even disillusioned. The word “disillusioned” can get a bad rap, but I think it’s probably actually a good thing. If I am “illlusioned” then it is good for me to be “disillusioned.” You have taught me what your love does and doesn’t mean over the years. I still have much to learn. I’m not saying I understand everything. But over the last 15 years, I’ve certainly learned more than I knew before. I’ve learned to accept what your love doesn’t mean, just as Job did after your speech to him in chapters 38-41:

42 Then Job answered the Lord and said,

² “I know that You can do all things,
And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
³ ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
⁴ ‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
⁵ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
⁶ Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Father, I accept the life you have for me. Now, that’s easy for me to say because, overall and outside of a couple of deep sorrows, I have a pretty good life. And even with that good life, there are times I want to complain. Times when I’m not grateful for simply your love. You are a good God. Nothing can separate me from your love, for which I’m grateful. I have a relative who is checking into a rehab facility today. I pray for that precious person. I pray that they will find your love. I pray that you will guide me in knowing how to pray for them. Your love is waiting there for them. Pull away the clouds that hang like curtains from their eyes (Keith Green reference) and help them to see you’ve been there all along. And support their family. Their parents. Their child. Guide all of them into your love. Use this difficult time to help all of them, and to help me as well. Make this pain count for your glory and their joy and peace.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen