Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35) 

When I first read the question in this passage, I was thinking a list of people or types of people would soon follow that “who” question. However, I discovered that the little word for “who” is also translated “what.” So, let’s consider that Paul is asking us “What do you think could separate you from the love of God?” 

And another thing to note: the question is asking what can separate us from the love of Christ – not our love for Him. We, being more human than we’d like to think, can be wishy-washy in our love for Christ; but NEVER does He waiver in His love for us, His believing children. In Psalm 136, the psalmist tells us TWENTY-SIX TIMES that “His faithful love endures forever.” The psalmist himself experienced many, if not all, of the circumstances named in this passage – circumstances in which God’s faithful love was there for him over and over and over again. 

As Paul is writing these words, he too is speaking from experience – having encountered every one of those circumstances – yet in all those situations, he, like the psalmist, discovered that God’s faithful love endures forever. 

When the tornado hit just south of us in London, KY, I heard a young man calmly tell TV reporters that Jesus had mercy on him and his family, that he was blessed – even as the cameras showed us the toothpick-like ruins of his home and the obliterated bathtub where he protected his mom. And later, when asked some other questions, he responded, “I have everything I need” – which is reflective of David’s words in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need (Psalm 23:1, CSB). 

Tribulation. Distress. Persecution. Famine. Nakedness. Peril. Sword. All horrible circumstances in our fallen world. 

When you experience the tragic circumstances of this earthly life, I hope, even in the midst of them, you will see that the unchanging and faithful love of God surrounds you and you have everything you need – in Him. 

By Judy Shrout