“Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” Romans 8:30
What a comfort it is to us as believers to know that God knew us as His own before the foundation of the world, predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son Jesus Christ, called us through the Gospel promises of forgiveness and life in Christ Jesus, counts us just and righteous through faith in Jesus, and preserves us in that faith through the continued use of His Word until we are glorified and with our Savior in heaven!
O merciful Father, as You have known me and called me to faith in Your Son through the Gospel, preserve me in that faith unto life everlasting. Amen.
“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.” Romans 8:28
Though often hidden from our eyes in this life, God is, in all things, working for the eternal welfare of those called to faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, through the Gospel, those who, as a fruit of their faith in Christ, love God.
Grant me faith, O God, to believe that You are working for my good in all things, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:29
Those whom God knew as His own through faith in Christ Jesus He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son — to be like Jesus in loving, trusting, and honoring God — that Jesus might be the firstborn among many brethren who, as a fruit of their faith in Christ, also honor, love, and trust in God above all else.
O gracious God, thank You for calling me to faith in Your Son and giving me Your pardon and forgiveness. Grant that I be conformed to the image of Christ Jesus and become like Him. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
Because of our sinful nature, we don’t know and understand our real needs — what is good for us and what is not. How comforting it is to know that the Spirit of God, who dwells in the hearts of God’s children (cf. Gal. 3:26-27), is interceding for them in accord with the will of God — asking for those things which are for our eternal wellbeing!
O Holy Spirit, thank you for interceding on my behalf and asking for and seeking those things that are for my eternal good. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:14-15
In the same way as Moses, in the wilderness, lifted up a bronze serpent on a pole and those bitten by the fiery serpents could look in faith and live rather than die (Num. 21), so those who look in faith to Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross will not be condemned to eternal death for their sins but be pardoned, forgiven and have everlasting life.
Grant, dear Jesus, that I look to You and Your cross in faith for forgiveness and life eternal. Amen.
[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]
