I remember my girls singing,
Nobody likes me, everybody hates me
I think I'll go eat worms!
Big fat juicy ones, Eensie weensy squeensy ones,
See how they wiggle and squirm!
If the ditty is stuck in your head the rest of the day, my sincere apologies.
Some Christians think God doesn’t like them. These, saved by the indescribable gift of God’s son, look at their difficult and wrenching life circumstances and conclude, “God doesn’t like me. God doesn’t care about me. Maybe, God hates me.”
For the child of God, few texts surpass the greatness of Romans 8. From its opening line that affirms God’s approval of the justified to its climax of God’s love in Christ for his own, Romans 8 has ministered to countless of the faithful over the centuries.
Most of us are familiar with 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Sadly, the text has been both misused and neglected.
Misused by those who offer the text to the hurting as an explanation for why bad things are happening to them. 8:28 is not first an explanation of why bad things happen to us but a reason to endure hardship that is the reality of living under the curse as we await the completion of our redemption (8:18-25).
Neglected by those who see the text as little more than a crutch to the hurting, offering no substantive aid to the downcast. “Remember, Romans 8:28!” seems like a cavalier way to comfort the wounded and broken, forgetting this quoted line is God’s message to the shattered spirit intended to bring comfort and aid.
Soon after 8:28 is another solace for the Christian. Paul writes, “Since God is for us, who can be against us?” He affirms a fact: God is for his own. God was for Paul, and God was for the Christians at Rome, and God is for us; God is for you!
To be sure God is not for everyone. He is aggressively opposed to the wicked (Psalm 34:16) and reveals his wrath against the godless (Romans 1:18). But that’s not you! You have “received the Spirit of adoption” and you cry out, “Abba, Father.” Your Heavenly Father is not against you. Your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you and does not hate you. God is for you! He offers to you evidence that he is for you, “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (8:32).
God is for the childless couple. You want to have a family and for whatever reasons it isn’t happening. It’s hard knowing your friend is pregnant and seeing their joy holding a baby. In your emptiness, God is for you.
God is for the grieving spouse. About half of us will bury a spouse. Once two become one, death rips apart the union. What’s left is a gaping wound. In your pain, God is for you.
God is for the dejected parent. Rebellious children break parents’ hearts. You’ve tried everything, and nothing changes for the better. In reality the relationships are deteriorating daily. You are ashamed to say it, but you’re looking forward to the day he heads off to college or the navy. In your continual frustration, God is for you.
God is for the mistreated child. You can’t do anything right. Your dad is always angry. Your mom criticizes and nags. Neither of them listen to you when you try to explain. They just yell, ridicule, or punish. You’d rather be at grandma’s house or a friend’s than be at home. In your confusion about what family life should be, God is for you.
God is for the recently furloughed. A stimulus check, ha! What’s that going to do for you. What you need is a job that pays well, has good insurance, and comes with some security that you won’t be let go if the economy turns bad. In your anxiety, God is for you.
God is for the injured and diseased. Thumbing the pages of the photo album, you hardly recognize the face you see. The stroke or cancer or fall or heart attack or the cumulative years have left you a shell of your former self. It hurts to move. It hurts not to move. “What’s the point of living like this?” you wonder. In your weakened state, God is for you.
God is for the weary and burdened. Sleep is a gift, but not one that lasts long. There’s not enough of you to go around. Everyone needs you…now! There’s nowhere to hide and no relief in sight. In your fatigue, God is for you.
God is for the discouraged pastor. You prepare sermons to feed the flock. They don’t seem interested in eating. You love only to be betrayed. You know you make mistakes but why can’t they be gracious when you do? Nobody calls you when you’re in need, but if you don’t call when they are in need, look out. In your dismay, brother-Pastor, God is for you.
God is for the single parent. This isn’t what you thought life would be, but here you are. It doesn’t matter how you got here. This is life now. You and the kid. It’s hard not having someone to lean on as a parent, someone who gets up in the night so you can get some sleep, someone to discipline so you aren’t the meanie every single day. In your not ideal situation, God is for you.
God is for the perpetual bridesmaid. “Sure, I’d love to be in your wedding.” You are genuinely happy for her. He’s a good guy, and she’s the latest of your squad walking the aisle. You’ve shared in the day with five friends in the last two years, but that’s not looking like a possibility for you. In your loneliness, God is for you.
God is for the dreamer with dashed dreams. It seemed like a great idea on paper. You carefully considered the pros and cons. You made the plans, asked for advice, took the risk, and worked hard to see it come true. But it didn’t, not even close. You flopped, miserably. The years and effort seem wasted. It’s really hard to dream again about what could be. In your failure, God is for you.
Here's a better tune and text for Christians to sing.
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of Thy throne Thy saints have dwelt secure; Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defense is sure.
Before the hills in order stood, Or earth received her frame, From everlasting Thou art God, To endless years the same.
Thy Word commands our flesh to dust, “Return, ye sons of men”: All nations rose from earth at first, And turn to earth again.
A thousand ages in Thy sight Are like an evening gone; Short as the watch that ends the night Before the rising sun.
The busy tribes of flesh and blood, With all their lives and cares, Are carried downwards by the flood, And lost in foll’wing years.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream, Bears all its sons away; They fly, forgotten, as a dream Dies at the op’ning day.
Like flow’ry fields the nations stand Pleased with the morning light; The flow’rs beneath the mower’s hand Lie with’ring ere ’tis night.
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while troubles last, And our eternal home.
Isaac Watts, 1719
As always, I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.
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Mike VerWay
Pastor for Preaching & Vision