In all these things

IN ALL THESE THINGS

 

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37)

 

            RECENTLY I READ that 80 percent of all church prayer requests are sickness related. We all hurt and have family and friends who hurt. Last night my neighbor called to tell me her bladder cancer has returned. The day before, I learned another friend was told there is nothing more that can be done for his cancer. My good friend is in intensive care with a brain aneurysm. Sickness and suffering are everywhere.

            The apostle Paul was no stranger to suffering. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:7 that he was given a thorn in the flesh. Some think it was a chronic eye problem. Whatever it was, Paul's affliction kept him humble and drew him closer to God. God speaks to us in times of suffering.

            The good news in all these things (and that includes sickness and suffering) is that we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. We're not just conquerors, but more than conquerors. Matthew Henry explained, “What do suffering saints lose? They lose that which gold loses in the furnace, nothing but the dross. With great gain includes glory, honor, peace and a crown of righteousness.” We are victorious, not in our strength but through Jesus Christ.

 

—Betty Lundberg

 

Through Christ we are more than conquerors.