Dr H Reflections

Fools and the apple of His eye ∙∙

Fools and the apple of His eye ∙∙

For thus says the LORD of hosts, He has sent me against the nations which plunder you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. – Zechariah 2:8

Jeremiah 31:35-37

35 It is the LORD who provides the sun to light the day and the moon and stars to light the night, and who stirs the sea into roaring waves. His name is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, and this is what he says:

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

37 This is what the LORD says: “Just as the heavens cannot be measured and the foundations of the earth cannot be explored, so I will not consider casting them away for the evil they have done. I, the LORD, have spoken!

Over the years, presidential administrations in the United States, regardless of political affiliation, have embraced the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism. IHRA stands for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.

Kara C. McDonald, a Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, announced on February 1, 2021, that the current administration would do likewise. McDonald said, “We must educate ourselves and our communities to recognize anti-Semitism in its many forms so that we can call hate by its proper name and take effective action. That is why the IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism, with its real-world examples, is such an invaluable tool.”

The IHRA’s working definition of anti-Semitism serves as a guideline to help the public and government identify both traditional and modern forms of anti-Semitism.

Current examples of criticism of Israel include comparing Israel to the Nazis, labeling Israel as racist, and holding Israel to standards not applied to other countries. Unfortunately, such anti-Israel sentiment often morphs into anti-Semitism.

The ability to recognize subtle forms of anti-Semitism in today’s world is essential for effectively addressing them. However, others strongly disagree. They argue that this approach brands all criticism of Israeli policy as anti-Semitic. Americans for Peace Now, which frequently criticizes Israeli policy, claims that the definition is “already being abused to quash legitimate criticism and activism directed at Israeli government policies.” They assert that criticism of Israel is not inherently anti-Semitic.

The IHRA definition clarifies that it should not be used to restrict legitimate speech. “However, what it does is clearly state the truth, which is that oftentimes criticism of Israel is a proxy for criticism of Jews” (William Daroff).

REFLECT & PRAY

Is it better and wiser to be on the right side of history, whatever that may be, or on the right side of prophecy?

Father, thank You for the choices that You have made. Thank You for considering me precious in Your sight and giving me the right to be called Your child.

INSIGHT

It is essential for each child of the King to thoughtfully consider and take a stand on modern manifestations of ancient anti-Semitism. Four thousand years ago, the Father made an unconditional promise concerning the Chosen People, the Nation of Israel.

Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt.

Nations have disregarded this fact for millennia to their own peril. Nothing has changed!

Zechariah 2:8 After a period of glory, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies sent me against the nations who plundered you. He said, “Anyone who harms you harms my most precious possession.”

Zechariah 2:8 Anyone who touches you touches the apple of his eye.

Deuteronomy 32:10 He found him in a desert land and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, cared for him, and kept him as the apple of his eye.

The phrase “The apple of His eye” originates from Deuteronomy 32:10 and uses the term “apple” to refer to the pupil of the eye, which is particularly vulnerable and requires careful safeguarding. This metaphor symbolizes God’s watchful care over Israel, as they are precious to Him and under His protection (BKC). “God is so closely identified with his people that they are precious to him, and he is zealous to protect them and take care of them (cf. Deuteronomy 32:10; Psalms 17:8; Matthew 25:34-45; Acts 9:1, 4-5)” (EBC).

The Hebrew word translated as touches is shalal. Shalal is a harsh, pugnacious word. It has the sense of harming, plundering, insulting, striking, or taking captive. The verb Touches in this context connotes “harms.” Thus, it has the sense that “Anyone who harms my people harms what is most precious to me.”

How foolish to attempt to battle with the Lord God Almighty and do Him harm. Anyone who tries to harm what is precious to Him does precisely that. The Father is so closely identified with His people that they are precious to Him, and He is zealous to protect them and care for them (Kenneth L. Barker).

Is it possible for the Father to cancel His promises and commitment to the Jewish people?

Hypothetically, what would it take? The Father has unequivocally answered that question for all time and eternity. It would take nothing less than the destruction of the natural and physical laws of the universe.

Jeremiah 31:36-37

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

They are secure in the Father’s love, and nothing will ever change that as long as the Father lives. The apostle Paul uses the Father’s unwavering commitment to the Nation of Israel to illustrate that each child of the King is also secure. If Israel is secure, so are we. If Israel is not secure, neither are we.

Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Romans 11:1-29

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.

2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this?

7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have – the ones God has chosen – but the hearts of the rest were hardened.

11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.

25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.

28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

29 For God’s gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.

As the Father called and designated the Nation of Israel as His Chosen People, the Father has called and chosen each child of the King.

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Feeling desperate? ∙

Feeling desperate? ∙

I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. – Psalm 13:5

Psalms 13:1-6

1 O LORD, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?

2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O LORD my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love, your lovingkindness. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

6 I will sing to the LORD because he is good to me.

“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city, you go into the desperate country and have to console yourself with the bravery of minks and muskrats. A stereotyped but unconscious despair is concealed even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind” (Henry David Thoreau).

“Nowadays, most men lead lives of noisy desperation” (James Thurber).

What should you do when you feel desperate?

“When you’re at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on” (Theodore Roosevelt).

David had a better approach. He frequently faced frustration, fear, despair, and desperation, but he persevered and worked his way through it.

Over time, David learned to trust the Father in every situation, even when he felt abandoned and alone. His confidence in the Father’s unfailing love grew. He developed the habit of rejoicing amid his difficult circumstances (Psalms 13:5).

When we find ourselves backed into a corner, weary from life’s relentless challenges, we often start to question everything. We question our own worth and identity. We question the faithfulness and loyalty of those around us. But most of all, we have serious doubts about the Father’s love and involvement in our lives. Is He really there for us? So often, we ask, “Where is God while my life is falling apart? Why has God abandoned me?” (Johnston).

And so it was with David. In Psalms 13, David pleads and challenges four times with the question, “How long?”

How long will you forget me?

How long will you look the other way?

How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

How long do we ask the Father, “How long?”

David felt ignored and neglected, forsaken and downcast. In his despair, he began to believe that the Father was hiding from him. He alludes to his unseen presence in the private recesses of his heart. He feels separated from the Father after experiencing a sweet, intimate walk with Him. David’s sense of estrangement is so intense that he can hardly bear the anguish. It interferes with his breathing, and pain grips his heart. David cries out from the depths of his soul, “Look at me! Answer me!” His plea is an urgent request for an answer now. David feels like he is on the verge of destruction. In desperate need, he cries out for complete deliverance. He begs to survive now (Terrien)!

This is one of the mysterious ways of the Father. As we grow and develop spiritual maturity, we come to understand it as part of the maturation process. “At times, we might feel as though God has slammed the door to heaven in our face. Yet these times do not last. Often, He is testing us to see if we will continue to follow Him, regardless” (Stanley).

Eventually, many of our questions are answered, and we gain perspective and understanding. We acquire wisdom that can only be obtained through periods of isolation.

REFLECT & PRAY

How do we rise above our doubts, questions, and frustration? David shows the way. David feels frustrated and questions the Father. But then a transformation occurs. Something remarkable happens. His questions turn into prayers, and his prayers become acts of worship. Truly extraordinary!

Father, thank You for allowing us to ask questions. Help me transform my questions into worship, praise, and trust in You.

INSIGHT

Almost everyone can relate to David’s desperation and doubts. Desperation has been part of the human experience since the Fall. It is part of the curse. We live in a fallen world, and we are fallen creatures. However, not everyone has found accurate help by turning to the living God, our heavenly Father. In desperate and lonely situations, David shows us the way to find hope when it seems elusive.

“The Christian life thrives on both memory and hope. We remember how God has shown us mercy in the past, and so we look forward to how He will save us in the future” (Stanley).

No matter how great the pressure, the choice remains ours, not the enemy’s. The Father never changes; His lovingkindness is everlasting. David “entrusts himself to this pledged love and turns his attention not to the quality of his faith but to its object and its outcome, which he has every intention of enjoying. David’s certainty, faith exercised, looks back at the whole way he has been led” (Kidner).

Do not be afraid to ask difficult questions. The Father already knows what is in your heart and patiently and lovingly hears them all, even when you are angry. Often, a miraculous transformation takes place as we transition from doubt to confidence. Voicing our doubts can become a spiritual catharsis, freeing us from desperation and isolation.

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Is integrity selective? ∙

Is integrity selective? ∙

Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people. – Proverbs 11:3

Genesis 39:5-10

5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the LORD began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.

6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing– except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,

7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

People with integrity behave differently from most others. They are consistent, stable, and unwavering. Their actions align with their words, making them excellent role models. When something needs to be done, they show up, take initiative and responsibility, and do what needs to be done.

5 Things People with Integrity Do Differently

(excerpted from https://www.powerofpositivity.com/)

1. They do what they say they will do.

Have you ever failed to follow through on a promise? People with integrity inspire us because they consistently keep their word. They commit to their promises and act accordingly.

2. They stand up for what is right.

They possess an intrinsic sense of justice and strive to balance the scales. When someone in power abuses power, people with integrity defend the powerless, combat injustice, and stand up for those mistreated.

3. They look in the mirror and commit to positive change.

Self-evaluation is crucial, and people with integrity hold themselves to the same standards as they hold others. They acknowledge their imperfections and work to improve areas that need change.

4. They take ownership of solving problems, even when the fault lies elsewhere.

People with integrity often step into leadership roles when no one else will. Even if they didn’t create the problem, like trash left in a hallway, they take responsibility and address it.

5. They act sooner rather than later.

People with integrity don’t wait to take action. They are proactive, often being the first to jump in and help others whenever possible.

Integrity is all about consistently doing the right thing. It means being reliable, dependable, and steadfast. Integrity encompasses honesty, strong moral principles, and uprightness. It is a personal commitment to uphold consistent moral and ethical standards.

Some may claim they possess integrity and transparency, but often, these claims are only acted out when convenient. True integrity is consistent, unwavering, and not selective.

While the Lord Jesus Christ did not explicitly use the word “integrity,” His teachings are filled with the concept of integrity: purity of heart(Matthew 5:8), singleness of purpose (Matthew 6:22), and purity of motive (Matthew 6:1-6).

REFLECT & PRAY

Some character traits and virtues require that we be “all in.” Integrity is one such attribute. Wishful integrity is selective; genuine integrity is unswerving, not selective.

We cannot choose to have integrity only when it is convenient or when we feel like it; true integrity demands unwavering commitment.

Father, I understand what genuine integrity is, and I aspire to it. Encourage and enable me to be consistent.

INSIGHT

Proverbs 12:27 The precious possession of a man is diligence.

Joseph was a man of integrity, intelligent, competent, and well-regarded. He consistently trusted the Father and made the best of his circumstances, whether good or bad. His character and abilities brought him opportunities.

Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.

But the very same qualities also brought temptation into his life.

Genesis 39:7 Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded.

Joseph’s integrity is evidenced in his response.

Genesis 39:8-9

8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household.”

9 “No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”

Joseph showed unwavering integrity when he resisted daily pressure from Potiphar’s wife to sleep with her. He remained steadfast and never compromised his principles, demonstrating that his integrity was resolute and not selective.

Genesis 39:10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible.

Joseph demonstrated courage and determination in living out his integrity. Because of his loyalty and devotion to the Father, he would not capitulate. He recognized that yielding would be a great sin against the Father.

Wishful integrity had matured into genuine integrity. His self-control became a stepping stone to future leadership and the fulfillment of his dreams when he was a naïve, haughty, self-centered young man.

The time you spend alone with the Father will transform your character and increase your devotion. Then, your integrity and godly behavior in an unbelieving world will make others long to know the Lord (Charles Stanley).

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Housebroken or heartbroken? ∙∙

Housebroken or heartbroken? ∙∙

Let me again experience the joy of your salvation! Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey! – Psalm 51:12

Psalms 51:9-12

9 Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.

11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and make me willing to obey you.

What does it mean to “rub someone’s nose in it”? Essentially, it means to repeatedly and forcefully remind someone of their mistakes or failures. This involves continually bringing an error or fault to someone’s attention. As sparks fly upward, people with fallen DNA are born with a natural propensity to do this.

The phrase’s origin can be traced to housebreaking pets, particularly puppies. Traditionally, correcting a puppy’s behavior involved rubbing its nose in its mess to discourage it from repeating the mistake in an attempt to prevent future accidents. However, dog trainers have since debunked this method. They have collected a wealth of evidence demonstrating its ineffectiveness.

Housebreaking has also been applied to people, particularly men. It refers to trying to train them to behave in a more socially acceptable manner [whatever that is ;-)]. Again, does this work? Not too much. Recriminations and accusations are largely ineffective.

For both pets and people, rubbing their noses in their mistakes achieves little to nothing. Instead, shaming and blaming cause discomfort, irritation, resistance, defiance, and ultimately rebellion. There must be a better way.

Consider how the Father gently, wisely, and compassionately deals with His wayward children. Strive to emulate this approach. Positive reinforcement is far more effective than negative denigration.

King David was painfully aware of his grave error, moral failure, and sinful rebellion in his involvement with Bathsheba and Uriah. He did not need further reminders, as he was already consumed by guilt and shame. In his plea to the Father, he asks not to have his face rubbed in his grievous failures but seeks relief and restoration instead. His actions had not only brought shame and disgrace upon himself but also tarnished his nation. And what of his relationship with his heavenly Father? The scandalous gossip must have been rampant: “Have you heard about David, King David, the man after God’s own heart? What kind of a God would allow his cherry-picked leader of Israel to commit such a thing?”

His sinful behavior could have ruined or even ended his life, as both adultery and murder were capital crimes under the law of Moses, warranting the death penalty. David, of course, knew this all too well.

The burden and anguish of unconfessed sin weighed heavily on David, gnawing at him spiritually, mentally, and physically. It created a rift between him and the Father, with whom he was deeply bonded and identified. Yet, the Father never moved but remained steadfast and loyal. His loving heart and open arms were waiting to receive David back once he sought forgiveness and reconciliation.

Finally, the moment arrives for David to make amends. He boldly pleads for mercy and restoration, appealing to the Father’s gracious character and loyal love.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father sees all, knows all, and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to forgive and restore all.

Father, I fail You so often. Thank You for forgiving me. But more than forgiveness, I long for inner transformation. Please give me a willing, dependable, and resolute spirit. Create an inner determination to follow Your ways.

INSIGHT

David had discovered and understood one of the profound open secrets of the Father’s heart. Although the Father established the sacrificial system, He did not take pleasure in animal sacrifices. The Father had no desire to see animals killed. Then why the sacrifices?

The death of innocent, unblemished animals served as an object lesson. What are we to learn from this bloody and somewhat gruesome practice?

Sin is grievous and can warrant severe consequences, including death in some cases. The Father does not desire or take pleasure in the death of animals. Instead, He desires repentance, particularly a broken and contrite heart.

The Father does not overlook or excuse sin, and He does not want the children of the King to do so either. He wants His children to face and address it. Outward actions are less critical than inward reflection. We are to search our hearts and acknowledge the wickedness of our sinful behavior. The Father desires that every child of the King gets their heart right with Him.

The Father wastes nothing in our lives. He uses our experiences for personal development and growth. Each of us has countless shameful acts and memories from the past that trouble us while we are awake and haunt us while we sleep. While we cannot undo or redo the past, we can strive to do better going forward.

Housebroken or heartbroken? The choice is ours.

Psalms 32:1-5

1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.

5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

The Father sent the Holy Spirit not to condemn, shame, or rub our noses in it. Instead, He is firm yet gentle, aiming to encourage us to make things right. The Holy Spirit was sent to convict us of sin (John 16:5-8).

John 16:8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.

The Greek word translated as “convict” is elegcho. Elegcho means to bring to light, expose, and convince. It is frequently translated as “prove . . . wrong” (NEB), “show . . . how wrong it was” (JB), “bring conviction” (Gdsp), and “convince” (Phps). The GeCL translates it as “he will show that the men on earth have wrong ideas about sin, about God’s righteousness, and his judgment” (UBS).

The Holy Spirit exposes and reveals our sin, bringing it to light so that we can recognize our wrongdoing. And what about us? How do we treat others? Do we handle others as the Father does, with grace and compassion, or are we prone to rubbing their noses in their mistakes?

Galatians 6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

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The CHOSEN – Jacob’s well ∙∙

The CHOSEN – Jacob’s well ∙∙

You are a holy people who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. – Deuteronomy 7:6

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. He wanted to do this, and it gave him great pleasure.

“The CHOSEN” is a television drama based on the life of Jesus of Nazareth. Season one was the highest crowd-funded TV series or film project ever. Season one, E8, opens with Jacob’s 12 sons digging a well in Canaan. A Canaanite neighbor named Yassib comes by for a friendly chat. Jacob tells Yassib that he and his 12 sons are sojourners looking for the land God promised to give to his grandfather Abraham.

Yassib comments, rhetorically asking, “Have you ever noticed how the gods are always promising us things, but we never really see them happen?” Jacob answers, “Sometimes it takes generations.”

Yassib asks, “What is this God of yours called”? Jacob responds, “El Shaddai.” Yassib responds, “Never heard of Him.” Jacob answers, “Not many people have. But I think someday they will.”

Being sojourners, Yassib wants to know where Jacob and his sons worship their God. Do they carry Him with them wherever they go? Jacob answers, “There are no carved idols of Him.” Yassib retorts, “So He’s invisible?” Jacob responds, “Yes, well, usually. There was one time He broke my hip.”

Yassib chuckles and quips, “Of all the gods you could possibly choose from, you pick an invisible God, Whose promises take generations to come true, Who makes you sojourn in strange places, and Who broke your hip? That is a strange choice.”

Jacob responds, “We didn’t choose Him.”

Before the foundation of the world, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit existed in eternity past. Then and there, they made decisions and choices regarding what would be. They chose to create all that is in the heavens and on earth. They sovereignly chose the children of Israel. They decided that the Son would become the Messiah and come to Earth to redeem the human race. They chose all those who would become children of the King.

How can we be sure? Because they were all alone. There was no one else around to make any choices. Yet, after the creation throughout human history, people are perfectly free to make their own decisions. This is an antinomy. It is beyond human comprehension, yet in the mind of God, it all works. The Scriptures reveal that the Father and each individual make decisions. Nothing is left to chance.

Matthew 12:18 Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.

The Father sent the Son to be the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world.

REFLECT & PRAY

Romans 8:31 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Father thank You that You have CHOSEN – even me.

INSIGHT

The Father chose to create the nation of Israel, the Chosen People, via Abraham, a gentile. The Jewish people are the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the 12 tribes.

Deuteronomy 10:15 The LORD chose your ancestors as the objects of his love. And he chose you, their descendants, above all other nations, as is evident today.

Jeremiah 31:3 Long ago, the LORD said to Israel: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love, I have drawn you to myself.”

Will the Father ever disown His people and abrogate His covenant with the nation of Israel? In the Old Testament, they managed to rack up quite a bit of rebellion and defiance. Did their disobedience separate them from the Father? Has He backed away because of what they have done? The answer is absolutely not!

Jeremiah 31:36-37

36 “I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!”

Why is this significant for the children of the King? Because the unconditional covenant that the Father made with the nation of Israel closely parallels the New Covenant, which we enjoy as inheritors of these promises. For those of us who are Jewish, we were near, heirs to the covenant (Romans 11:24). For those of us who are Gentiles, we were far off but have now become fellow heirs (Ephesians 3:6).

Ephesians 2:13-14

13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once, you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

14 For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.

Are the children of the King secure in the Father’s love forever? The answer is absolutely!

Nothing can separate us from His love and commitment, regardless of our behavior. Consider Exhibit A: the nation of Israel, and Exhibit B: the apostle Peter.

Romans 8:31-39

31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?

34 Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?

37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.

39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.

Paul’s statement powerfully declares the Father’s unwavering faithfulness. Even in the face of human shortcomings, God remains faithful and true. His nature is unchanging and independent of human actions or attitudes. His promises and commitments are always reliable. The phrase “for he cannot disown himself” underscores God’s intrinsic nature. Faithfulness is a core aspect of who He is, making unfaithfulness impossible and contradictory to His very character.

In essence, this verse reassures every child of the King that God’s faithfulness is constant and reliable, even when their own faith may falter.

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