I am free from any condemning charges against me. (Romans 8:31-34)

Do you ever notice how, when we are waiting for news from someone or are awaiting a response to a text or email we have sent or a phone call we have made...and that response is delayed...that our minds tend to create worse case scenarios?  I do that all the time.  Our kids are out late at night and Shirley and I get no response to a text inquiring as to their whereabouts, so "worst-case-scenario-itis" kicks in big time.  I don't imagine that our kids are busy leading a whole group of friends to Christ.  No way.  I am imagining some gruesome car wreck and already trying to figure out how I can live life without them when the return text finally arrives:  "Still at the party.  Will be home soon."  What a relief!  And how foolish we feel...again...to have allowed our minds to be taken for a ride.

So how are we supposed to navigate the rough waters between when our kids leave to when they return?  We have to look back at their track record of faithfulness and trustworthiness (and if there isn't much of a track record, we probably DO have cause for uneasiness!) and ultimately have to entrust them to the Lord's care.  "Don't worry; pray instead!" is great...and biblical...advice (see Philippians 4:6,7).

Maybe you don't have kids or grandkids that worry you at the moment, but all of us are right smack dab in the middle of a time between when the Son of God left and when He finally returns.  As far as exactly when we'll see Him, we don't know...though we have all sent Him tons of "texts" encouraging Him to come "home" soon.  But He's not answering back when we ask Him when.

So what do we do?  We rely on His 100% faithful track record of faithfulness and trustworthiness, entrusting ourselves to God and what He has said.  He WILL come back.

Maybe you are a bit anxious as to how your eventual reunion with Jesus will go.  Will He recognize you?  Will He be mad?  Will He be ashamed of you?  Will He accept you or will He dredge up all the junk you've ever done in your life, throw it back in your face, and go back to heaven without you?  If you don't watch it, you can find yourself in a real mental and emotional pickle, succumbing to a very bad case of "worst-case-scenario-itis"!

Today's Scripture, I believe, provides a beautiful antidote for fearful, doomsday thinking.  Listen in:

What shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who is against us?  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?  Who will bring a charge against God's elect?  God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns?  Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.      (Romans 8:31-34)

Pretty good news, eh?  Let's sum it up:

• God is for us.  He's on our side.  We're on His team.  He is rooting for us.  He wants us to win. It doesn't matter what anybody else thinks about or says about us.  GOD is for us.
• That same God already showed how much "for us" He is by sacrificing His only Son so that we could have life.  If God did the biggest, hardest thing for us already, can't we trust Him for all the rest that life throws at us?
• Nobody will dare to try and condemn someone that God has declared innocent (everyone who is in Christ!).  Sure, Satan may accuse us (like a really nasty prosecuting attorney), but he can never condemn us.  Condemnation is up to the judge and the Judge has already said that "there is therefore now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"! (see Romans 8:1).
• Jesus is in charge; He died, rose from the dead, and is enthroned just to the right of the Father
• This same Jesus is praying for us right now.  Do you think God the Father hears Jesus' prayers?

So relax, breathe a sigh of relief, if you are in Christ today.  True, Jesus isn't answering our texts as to when He's coming back, but He IS coming.  And when He does, all those who are in Christ Jesus will be warmly welcomed, without one ounce of condemnation.  By the grace of God, I can gratefully proclaim today in Christ, "I am free from any condemning charges against me."  I hope you can, too!