7.6.2026 - Jody Duncan

Monday, July 6

(This week’s devotions are written by Jody Duncan)

Romans 8:37-39

God’s love is steadfast

We read today from Romans 8:37-39. Read the passage now or at the end of this devotion. What do Paul’s words teach us about the steadfastness of God’s love?

In reading these verses I am moved by the phrase, ‘In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.’ In Christ we are MORE than victorious. We don’t just conquer sin; we rise above it. We don’t just conquer death; we gain eternal life.

Further, Paul tells us that if we give ourselves to Christ, nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Nothing.

I imagine most of us who are parents feel that nothing could stop us from loving our children. We might be disappointed in them. We might despair of their bad choices. We might even dislike them from time to time. But most parents love their children, NO MATTER WHAT. I’ve known parents who stuck by their children through criminality, addiction and a host of aberrant behaviors.

If we, as flawed human beings, can love our children with such unwavering devotion, how much more steadfast is God’s love for us?

Examples of God’s resolute love abound in the Bible. In story after story, God’s people transgress, God punishes them – and then he forgives them. Why does he forgive them? Because he loves them.

The Israelites complain and misbehave after they are freed from Egypt. God punishes them with 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. But, even then, he provides for them, guides them, and shows them his love. David commits adultery with Bathsheba and ensures her husband dies in battle. God punishes David for these ghastly sins but then forgives him when he sincerely repents. Jonah disobeys God’s command that he preach to the wicked city of Nineveh and instead boards a ship. (As if he can hide from God at sea!) To punish his disobedience, God sends a massive storm, and Jonah is swallowed by a great fish. In response to Jonah’s prayers asking for forgiveness, God delivers him safely from the belly of the beast.

Sin, God’s punishment, God’s forgiveness. The pattern plays out many, many times throughout scripture.

God loved the Israelites, he loved David, he loved Jonah – and he loves you. It may be difficult to feel that love at times. It may be difficult to believe that it’s there, every second of every day. After all, there are few rock-solid relationships in our lives and in our world. There are few never-broken promises. The world we inhabit isn’t stable or solid. Our relationships constantly shift beneath our feet like quicksand. Who can we rely on? Who will never betray us? Who can we always turn to?

We must turn toward our God, whose love for us never wavers. Walk in that love today. Embrace the knowledge of God’s steadfast love, no matter our failings, no matter how far we have fallen. Through Jesus, we are redeemed and are separated from God no more.