Romans 8:31 “What then are we to say about these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?”

Patriotism runs deep.  We learn it from the time we start school with the pledge of allegiance.  We learn to stand up for our team, our family, our nation.  We learn how to be loyal to important things and this is a good lesson.  As I was praying over this verse I thought about the nations and the divisiveness that is in today’s world.  The breakdown of unity is everywhere, it infiltrates everything.  This verse calls me to remember and celebrate that there is something bigger than that.  There is something bigger than loyalty to teams, family and nation.  There is God.  I am pretty sure He does not really care who wins the World Series or who wins the high school football championship.  I am not sure he even cares about the boundaries drawn in the sand from one nation to another.  I believe He cares for us individually and as a people.  As we come under his wing and learn to be loyal to Him as our Lord, we can begin to claim the strength and hope in this verse.  If the King of all, the Creator of all we know and things we do not know, our Savior and Redeemer stands for us, who stands against us? Nothing can stand against the Almighty and so I lift my hands in praise to Him this morning.

Lord,

You are mine and I am yours, all else will fade in time.  When I become discouraged bring the hope of this message to me again.  Thank you for your love and mercy today and always.  Help me be merciful and loving to others.   Amen.