A few years ago, I was talking with a friend on her landline phone; and while she went to get something, I heard beautiful calming music playing in the background. When she returned, I asked about the music; and she laughed and said, “I have the TV on – it’s just the background music to Matlock.” 

When I read Romans 8, I sometimes imagine background music accompanying the message. At the beginning of the chapter is that calming music assuring me that there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (v.1). 

The music gradually becomes a bit fuller as Paul writes that he considers that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (v.18).  

The music continues to build momentum as we are reminded of what we should know: that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (v.28). 

And now as we approach the last part of Romans 8, a portion of Paul’s writing that John MacArthur calls A Hymn of Security, we can imagine the trumpeters and trombonists taking a deep breath for this last stretch and the percussionists getting ready to hit everything they have sticks for! 

Let the crescendo begin! 

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (v. 31) 

These are rhetorical questions – posed to provoke thought. Paul is trying to get the attention of his readers, because he knew there were (and still are today) believers who have been misled in their thinking. They don’t fully believe that God is FOR us. That’s one of the effective ways the evil one uses to cause us to doubt our salvation: causing believers to think God is always mad at them. 

The teeny word translated “if” in this verse actually means “because.” Because God is for us, who can be against us?  

Dearly beloved of God, do you realize that there is no one anywhere who is more FOR you than God? Do you really think that He who gave His only Son for you would be AGAINST you? There will be people who will be against you in this world, but not God! Would you join me in praying that we live out our faith in supreme confidence that the One who is FOR us is empowering us and cheering us on? Let the cymbals clang! 

By Judy Shrout