The weight of these verses is absolutely beyond words. The weight of this entire chapter of Scripture (Romans 8) is beyond the comprehension our finite, fallen minds. And, in the midst of such glorious heights--altitudes of truth that we cannot attain in this life--the Lord still makes sure that his Word is "profitable" for his children (2 Timothy 3:16). And I, especially right now, at this point in my life, cannot even begin to describe how much I have profited from the beautiful truths found in Romans chapter 8.

I am unsure as to whether there is any part of Scripture that shows the love, faithfulness, mercy, grace, and absolute steadfastness of the Lord in such a clear, concise, and compact way. The promises that Romans chapter 8 gives, and the assurance that it brings, are great gifts from our Father God.

Verse 31 starts a mounting series of arguments that are built off of rhetorical questions. It connects to the whole big train of thought that has been developed throughout the chapter, but is especially interconnected to verse 26, "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." We are weak. He is strong. And, in our weaknesses, he proves himself as being strong. Paul picks the argument back up and says that when he does that proving, there is absolutely no one who can be against us. How can there be? If the God of the universe is on your side, what is there to fear? Who could possibly stand against you?

The argument that is formed by that rhetorical question ("who can be against us?") is not left to be simply assumed. No, no, it is developed in the fullest sense possible by acknowledging a theological fact and then leading that into yet another rhetorical question. "He [God] 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?" He already did the hard thing! Paul's thought here is that, in light of the beauty, magnificence, purity, loveliness, glory, and radiance of God the Son, Jesus Christ, the Father was still capable and willing to offer up his Son to death, and a death of the worst kind; now, if he was capable of giving us this great gift---the gift of redemption that was attained by the substitutionary death, burial, and resurrection of Christ--- and willing to do so, what good thing--since no thing is anywhere near being as good as that gift--would he refuse us? What would he possibly withhold from us after that gift? That's the question. So, what's the answer??.....NOTHING!!! Absolutely nothing!

The problem lies not within the gifts or the Giver of them, but within our own corruption. The problem is our human eyes, our human ears, our human minds, and our human hearts. Even as believers, even as people who are regenerate, we still see "in a mirror dimly." (1 Corinthians 13:12) and have the proclivity to assume evil of our Savior. When things don't go smoothly, when they seem to stray from the plans we have for our lives, when we don't get "what we deserve", we are...I am...so quick to point the finger out God for having messed up what we thought should be. I am often found guilty of such self-absorbed wickedness. But the Spirit "helps [me] in [my] weakness." He intercedes for me, since I know not what to pray. He groans things that I cannot utter. And He reminds me of the "profitable" Word which he inspired for my good and His glory. He reminds me of these passages. And he reminds me of the last verse of the beloved Psalm 23: "surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life..." He reminds me that Christ's payment on the cross was sufficient, that I cannot add to it or subtract from it, and that a just God's wrath was satisfied as Christ took my punishment on a cross. And, because of this, I never will taste of God's wrath, but can truly attest to Psalm 23, and profess that every single thing in my life is a gracious gift from my God.

May I begin to say more often: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!"

Amen.