We Can Persevere
Scripture Reading — Romans 7:14-25
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
In Romans 7, Paul talks about his own struggles with sin and the requirements of the law. But he is able to end on a joyful note. He exclaims, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
Paul’s struggle is our struggle. Who would even begin to claim that they did not fall short? Who could claim to go a whole day without stumbling into one sin or another?
With Paul we can say honestly, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”
The Canons of Dort assure us, “But God is faithful, mercifully strengthening” us in grace and “powerfully preserving [us] in it to the end.” And as Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, we can be confident “that he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God does not and will not fail. He has his world in his hands, and he has engraved us on his palms (Isaiah 49:16). This comforting assurance leads believers to shout, “Thanks be to God!”
Let’s make that claim today, in praise to our God, who has redeemed us and loves us with a love that will never die!
Author of salvation, we come with thanksgiving for the deliverance you have given us in Christ Jesus, our Lord. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — George Vink
Pastor George Vink has served as a pastor in the Christian Reformed Church for more than 30 years in British Columbia, Montana, Michigan, and California. He and his wife, Shirley, have four married sons and nine grandchildren.
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