David Bahn – Reflections

Today’s readings are Romans 8; Psalm 44; Genesis 50; Job 16; Isaiah 38. I’ll be away for the next few weeks. I will, however, attempt to post a link to the readings for the 49 Week Bible Challenge so you can follow the plan easily. During this time there will be no audio versions of these blog posts.

Romans 8:28-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰ And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

³¹ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? ³³ Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. ³⁴ Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ³⁶ As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”

³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:28 was our theme verse when Diane and I were dating. Before we had made any plans for our future together, we would say, “We can’t lose.” We met during her summer break from college while I was still in school in my hometown. We dated and quickly realized there was something special between us. Still, we didn’t know what the future would hold. Although I hoped my future would be with her, neither of us could be certain. What we did know was that something real was taking shape — fragile and undefined, yet unmistakably present.

During those days of uncertainty, the promise that God was working all things together for our good brought great comfort. We leaned heavily on it.

Later, we were married and set out to serve together — I to seminary, Diane in countless ways of support and service. As our life together unfolded and our family grew, that same promise continued to steady us.

In difficult seasons, Romans 8:28 has anchored our souls. But it is a promise meant not only for hard days, but for every day. God is always at work — for his glory and for our good. We are loved by him, and nothing can separate us from that love. Nothing is more important than living connected to it.

Often, we recognize God’s good purposes only in retrospect, as Joseph did (cf. Genesis 50:19–20). But the promise of God, and the conviction that, “We can’t lose,” does not stop with us. His providential care is not only for our benefit, but for the sake of all those we may serve, impact, and bless. As we live and serve our neighbor, we are drawn into God’s larger work of love — a blessing meant for many.