Born with facial deformity, hearing loss, sight impediment and internal organ dysfunction, Hilary McDowell was diagnosed with no fewer than seven disabilities. The prognosis? She would never walk, might never speak and might well live for only three weeks. Yet her parents’ loving efforts to encourage and stimulate her helped nurture Hilary into the godly and influential woman she became. Nothing stopped her radiating Christ’s joy and beauty, as a lively author, speaker, dramatist, counsellor and deaconess in Ireland’s Presbyterian Church.
Hilary’s difficult but inspirational life amply illustrates Paul’s teaching to the believers in Rome. Paul knew from personal experience that although they might face extreme hardships, still “in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28), steadily transforming them into Christ’s likeness (v. 29). No force could prevail against them (v. 31 ) because God’s gracious presence infused all their circumstances, including the distressing ones. And so Paul encouraged them that “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (v. 37), for whatever they endured, nothing could separate them from God’s love (vv. 38–39).
Understandably, we may prefer it if God removed our problems, and sometimes He does indeed intervene. But Paul invites us to know His comfort, strength and transforming presence within our struggles. And in ways that may astonish us, He will weave together each detail into something good and beautiful.
By Anne Le Tissier
REFLECT & PRAY
How have you experienced God being with you in your pain and problems? In what ways has He worked good through them in your life and the lives of others?
Dear Jesus, please help me to know and encounter Your presence in the difficulties I face today, reminding me that nothing can separate me from Your love.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
In Romans 5–8, Paul shared with the Roman believers in Jesus what Christ had done to save them and enumerated the spiritual blessings they had in Him. In Romans 8:31–35, he affirmed the eternal security of the believer. Quoting from Psalm 44:22 (v. 36), Paul made the point that believers aren’t exempt from afflictions and sufferings, even physical death ( v. 35). Yet he also affirmed that God protects us (v. 31), saves us (v. 32), no longer condemns us (vv. 33–34), and covers us with His love (vv. 35–39). Three times Paul assured us that we’re safe, secure, and victorious in Jesus’ great love ( vv. 35, 37, 39). No wonder the apostle triumphantly declared, “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. . . . [Nothing] will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (vv. 37, 39).
K. T. Sim
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