³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ³² He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ³³ Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ³⁴ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

Predestination and election occupy volumes of debate among Christians, layman and scholar alike. Everyone thinks himself an expert on certain aspects or interpretation of these truths—or else throws up his hands in confusion and resignation. In-depth treatment of this topic goes beyond the scope of these devotions, but we should not miss the main import of what God wants us to know. And that is found in verse 31: “If God is for us, who is against us?” Whatever predestination and election mean (along with foreknowledge and calling), one thing we can be certain of is this: God is on the side of the believer. We have absolutely nothing to fear. Nothing!

Think about it. If the sovereign Creator of the universe foreknew us, predestined us, called us, justified us and will glorify us, who is going to stop Him from doing what He sees as best for us? He has already given us that which is supremely good—His own Son. What good thing would He possibly withhold from us or be prevented from giving to us? James writes, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow” (James 1:17).

Yet it is precisely when we go through difficulties of life, when we groan deeply over difficult and painful circumstances, that we begin to doubt God and our future with Him. We start to question His love for us or His sovereignty concerning us. Guilt lingering from past sins begins to surface; insecurities in our relationship with God bubble up. But it is also precisely at times like these that we need the reassurance of our security in relationship to God. Who can win a prosecution against us if God has already declared His elect, His chosen ones, to be exonerated? As Paul said earlier, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom 5:10).

If God has justified us, how could any condemnation override that? The crucified, raised and ascended Jesus Christ who is seated at His Father’s right hand (the place of ultimate authority) intercedes for us (1 John 2:1), as does the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:27). We are secure in Him.

Lord, I am convinced that nothing can interfere with Your work in my life.