Reflection:

There is no doubt or equivocation here. Paul does not wonder, think or even know; he is convinced, literally translated ‘I have become and remain convinced’. His unshakeable conviction is that nothing can separate a believer from the love of God the Father which they have experienced through Jesus, God’s son. The couplets that he then offers cover the scope and reach of all that we might experience in the seen an unseen world; death nor life (material universe), angels or demons (cosmic forces), present or future (time) and height or depth (space). He concludes the list with the catch all ‘nor anything else in all creation; to emphasise the strength of God’s love in a believer’s life is the most powerful force in the known and unknown universe. This is love that will not let us go.

Do you believe it’s possible for a believer to wrench themselves from the grip of God’s love?

Prayer:

Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heaven, to earth come down: fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown! Jesus thou art all compassion, pure, unbounded love thou art; visit us with thy salvation; enter every trembling heart.

Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into every troubled breast! Let us all in thee inherit; let us find that second rest. Take away our bent to sinning; Alpha and Omega be; end of faith, as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.  Amen.