GOD'S EVERLASTING LOVE " For I am persuaded that neither . . . things present . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Tomorrow:
"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: 'For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.' Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39, NKJV)
"Things present" are the circumstances we face today. They are the conditions of the here and now. This is what we are confronting at this time, what we are experiencing at the moment. These are things we confront that are challenging, and sometimes grievous. "Things present" can be threats from those who are greater than you like that of Sennacherib, who chided Hezekiah for trusting in the Lord (2 Kgs 19:10-15). Things present" can be a grievous famine that threatens to do us in like the famine that forced Abram to go into Egypt (Gen 12:10). "Things present" can be the loss of a child like the time when Jairus' daughter died while he was bringing Jesus to his house (Mark 5:35-36). "Things present" can be facing staggering foes that appear to cause hope to wither like when David faced Goliath 1 Kgs 17:43-44).
Make no mistake about this: the "present" can be filled with things that make for fear, discouragement, sorrow, and unusual pain. These occasions are mentioned in the plural ("things") because there is a wide variety of them, and they frequently invade the territory our lives, leaping over the border of quietness the "present."
"Things present" can be so difficult they can move a "perfect man" to cry out, "Let the day perish wherein I was born" like Job when Satan was given leave to come against him with an unprecedented and prolonged attack (Job 3:3).
Trouble, sorrow, and affliction are challenges when they are "things present." When we are of sound mind, the griefs of yesterday do not drag us down. Troubles and afflictions that are behind us, as we walk in the Spirit, have only become occasions for thanksgiving and praise. When we live by faith, we do not grapple with such things. But when they are "things present," it is quite another story.
Right here is where many a soul needs to be strengthened handling "things present." Even when we endure chastening, it is the fact that it is the "present" that makes it grievous. As it is written, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous" (Heb 12:11). There surely are "the sufferings of this present time" (Rom 8:18).
Rather than "things present" separating us from the love of God, we can take ownership of them, knowing our God is working all things together for our good. Do not the Scriptures say, "things present . . . are yours" (1 Cor 3:22)? That is, in Christ they contribute to your good, your spiritual growth, and your stability. They belong to you!
There are distresses that are "present" (1 Cor 7:26), bludgeoning us as though they were under no restraint at all. And, then there is the present evil world" (Gal 1:4), that often looms like a giant, hovering over us and spreading a cloud of misery over our souls.
Still, "things present" cannot separate from God's love toward us! The things we are going through right now may appear difficult and strong, but they are powerless to shut off the supply of Divine love. Still, "in the midst" of our enemies, our loving God can prepare a table for us, laded with sustaining dainties (Psa 23:5). So, when "things present" are knocking at your door, and delivering messages of doom and gloom, look them squarely in the face and say, "Pardon me while I have a snack! My heavenly Father prepares me a table in the presence of my enemies. That blessed table is the "present" on which I will set my attention."
PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, I thank You that the present is not for ever.