We Have An Automatic Win

 “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)

   We did not have a strategy for picking sides for our baseball games every day at recess in elementary school because our teacher randomly picked two people to be captains and they chose their team members. But our hope at recess was simple: to be on Johnny’s team. We called him “Johnny 3T” because he was tall, talented, and tough. Everybody wanted Johnny.  If you were lucky enough to be chosen on his team, you didn’t lose – ever. You were never concerned about the opposition . . . because you had Johnny.

  He would walk up to home plate, raise his bat over his shoulder, and the infield AND outfield would automatically move back several steps. Sometimes he would point to the spot where he intended to hit the ball, not in arrogance but in confidence. The outfielder in that area would immediately punch his fist into his glove and try to get ready as Johnny hit the ball but it never mattered. Having Johnny on your team was an automatic win.

  We had confidence in Johnny when we played baseball as little kids but it is nothing compared to the confidence we should have in the power of our Heavenly Father.  Paul asks a question in Romans 8:31-32 that honestly does not need an answer. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Think about it. Can you name one single thing in your life that is more powerful than the Lord? That can overpower Him or beat Him no matter what He does?

  Let’s see. A pile of unpaid bills and no money in the bank? A prodigal child you haven’t heard from for months? The fear of failure? A marriage that is on the edge? A friend who now seems more like an enemy? Your boss who is a bully? A life-threatening disease?

  God, who is for us, will never ever be overpowered by anything or anyone. Nothing, absolutely nothing can stand against Him. Not Satan. Not demons. Not a single situation this world throws at us. We do not need a strategy or luck to get the Lord to be on our “team” because He has already chosen us, as His children, to be on His. 

   Go before Him with confidence in knowing that He loves us, He hears us, He knows exactly what we need and He will answer because He is faithful. God is for us, my friends. I would consider that an automatic win.

   Father, thank you for standing for me against those situations in life that threaten me every day. You are faithful in all things. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

R.A.P. it up . . .

Reflect

• Have you ever believed that you had situations in your life that God just couldn’t take care of for you?

• Did you try to fix them on your own? Were you successful?

Apply

• Write down in your journal the battles that you are facing in your life today.

• Beside each one, write down Scripture that reminds you of God’s promises to be with you throughout everything you are facing.

Power  

• Romans 8:31-32 (NIV) “What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”

• Psalm 108:6 (NIV) “Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.”

• Psalm 27:1 (NIV) “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?”