“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” Romans 8:28 AMP

In Christ, we have a great confidence! The Scripture is clear that God has a great concern for our well-being and earthly experience. We saw in an earlier devotion that we are no longer under condemnation and the penalty of eternal damnation for our past sins.

“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” Romans 8:1-2 AMP

I love the Amplified translation as it brings out the true flavor of God’s heart for us…sinners saved by grace! The word “know” used here is not the commonly used word ginosko which means head knowledge. You can have head knowledge but never experiential understanding. The word used here oida is the word meaning to have “experiential understanding; to have realized something.” The charge against us was that before we meet Christ we really did not have an understanding of God! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians the following.

“But at that time, when you did not know [the true] God and were unacquainted with Him, you [Gentiles] were slaves to those [pagan] things which by [their very] nature were not and could not be gods at all. 9Now, however, since you have come to know [the true] God [through personal experience], or rather to be known by God, how is it that you are turning back again to the weak and worthless elemental principles [of religions and philosophies], to which you want to be enslaved all over again?” Galatians 4:8-9 AMP

Satan has clouded the vision of who God the Father truly is by creating all types of religious experiences. Jesus did not come and die on the cross to create religious institutions in which men determine the rules and regulations perverting the way to God. God sent Christ into the world to save that which was lost…His relationship with us! If for the joy sent before Him Christ endured the cross, He certainly didn’t do it for an organization or a building! He did it for you! Paul wrote to the church at Corinth about this very subject.

“Now it is God who establishes and confirms us [in joint fellowship] with you in Christ, and who has anointed us [empowering us with the gifts of the Spirit]; 22it is He who has also put His seal on us [that is, He has appropriated us and certified us as His] and has given us the [Holy] Spirit in our hearts as a pledge [like a security deposit to guarantee the fulfillment of His promise of eternal life].” 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 AMP

The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is the proof that God is not lying to us! Regardless of the circumstances of situations we can rest assured that He is with us! This assurance comes from walking daily in the Father. It is seeing the hand of God working in our lives through the circumstances and daily encounters we experience that builds our confidence in His care. King David knew it well that God was with him and wrote to his son the following.

“Then David continued, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 AMP

We are the temple of the Lord and God is committed to see finish His work correctly! Let me encourage you today that He knows you more than you know yourself. Allow His Holy Spirit to craft you into the vessel of His love for He loves you unconditionally! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken