Several years ago, my children introduced me to a TV skit where a not too competent worker at a burger place was taking food orders. If a customer asked for a change on his order, she would proclaim it as a “complicated order,” no matter how slight a change. If the person persisted in the request, she would call out, “Security! SE-CU-RI-TY!” It was quite humorous to us, and we’ve used the complicated order phrase and call for security many times in joking around at home.
Everyone wants security. We want the rescue of it when in perceived or real danger. We want to feel secure in relationships in a way that makes us feel worthwhile. But too often we go on a lifelong search for security, when the very source of it is found in Jesus.
The Apostle Paul knew this security of unconditional love and acceptance. In Roman 8:38-39, he speaks of being persuaded, convinced about it.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NASB1995)
He had come to this belief regarding God’s love for him and would not be deterred from that belief. It was a done deal for him. No matter the circumstances, he was holding on to the fact that God loved him unconditionally and accepted him.
Paul knew from personal experience many of the circumstances listed in these verses. In 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 he lists even more difficult circumstances: imprisoned, flogged, multiple death threats, whipped repeatedly, often beaten, shipwrecked several times, alone in the open sea, stoned, in danger from everything and everyone imaginable; lack of sleep, hunger, and clothing; and his personal concern for those to whom he ministered. Any or all of these could have understandably brought into question God’s love and acceptance of him.
Yet despite all this, he was convinced that God loved him. He used the phrase “separate from” to describe the security he knows from this love. The phrase gives the picture of removing oneself from or placing a room between. But Paul states that nothing can cause God to bring this kind of separation to His children. Regardless of the circumstance, that sort of separation will never come to pass. God’s love is secure and gives us security in our relationship with Him.
Is Satan whispering in your ear, because of your current circumstances, that you’re not worthy; that God has left you to go to another part of the house? I can assure you He has not done so. He loves His children, and nothing can change that. Call for Him. He is right there with you in the circumstance. Bask in His love for you, His acceptance of you, the worth He has placed on you in Christ. Receive His security. Let Him be your SE-CU-RI-TY!
Photo by Wesley Marçal on Unsplash
The Clean Housekeeper Wannabe 