"Who then dares fight against us, while God Himself is fighting for us?" - Matthew Henry
"With God as our ally, we may safely face the world in arms." - The Pulpit Commentary
"It is an awful thing not to have God for us. And if God is not for us, there is no neutral course - He must be against us...Would we always have God for us? Then let us aim to be for God..." - The Biblical Illustrator
"But if God be for you, you ought to be for God. If God has espoused your cause, ought you not to espouse His?" - Charles Spurgeon
Take a moment to reflect on what you just read.
God defends, saves, fights, and serves as an ally for all those who aim to be for Him and espouse His cause. They can safely "face the world in arms" - knowing that He, as their defender, is "more mighty than all their foes."
However, consider the individual, congregation, or especially the nation that does not have "God for them." Can there be anything more awful than that? Because not having Him "for them" is to automatically have Him "against them."
In Romans 8:31, the Apostle Paul inquired - "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?"
In his earlier discussion, concluding that all afflictions work for our good, he mentioned - "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18) as well as "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)
What conclusion can we draw from this in regard to the power of Christianity to support us in our trials?
Paul gives the answer with three words - Deus pro nobis - "God for us."
"...If God be for us, who can be against us?"
At first, his language seems to suggest a kind of uncertainty - it being a matter open to some doubt or further speculation. However, in knowing that he was speaking in the language of logic - using a syllogism - you can easily see that there is no uncertainty intended whatsoever.
Some commentators go so far as to say that when Paul said - "If God be for us...," you can easily translate it as - "Since God is for us..." And "...who can be against us?" can be better translated as "who can possibly stand against us?"
"...If God be for us..."
This is definitely not an "if" of doubting or ambiguity, but rather of certainty and assurance.
There is no doubt about it! God is, indeed, for all true believers. That cannot be denied. The Scriptures tell us so -
Psalm 46:7 says - "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."
Psalm 124:1 says - "If it had not been the LORD Who was on our side, now may Israel say."
Psalm 118:6 says - "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?"
"The LORD of hosts" is on the side of His people. He is their defender...their refuge and shelter..and their high place - far above the reach of their enemies. No one can attack Him with hope of success.
Yahweh is for His people - supporting and defending them and delivering them from great troubles. It matters not who is against them for He is on their side as a very present help.
He is for them - fighting their battles...supporting them under afflictions... supplying all their needs... delivering them from all evil...as well as defending their cause.
Deus pro nobis - "God for us."
God is for His people when their views are in accordance with the Scripture. Reason, experience, learning, and opinions of men may be against them, but He is more than all.
Deus pro nobis - "God for us."
Those three words have given the assurance needed to calm the fears and strengthen the faith of the saints of old.
In Genesis 15:1, Abraham found "God for him" as expressed in these words - "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward."
In Genesis 26:24, Isaac found "God for him" as expressed in these words - "And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for My servant Abraham's sake."
In 2 Kings 6:15-16, Elisha's servant found "God for them" as expressed in these words - "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."
In Psalm 27:1, David found "God for him" as expressed in these words - "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
In Jeremiah 1:17-19, the Prophet found "God for him" as expressed in these words - "Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brazen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land. And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee."
And lastly, in Acts 18:9-10, Paul found "God for him" as expressed in these words - "Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city."
There is no doubt about it! God is for His people. He has an affection for them...is on their side...is in covenant with them...and is engaged for them. Hence, He preserves them from the evils of the world and supports them under their afflictions and temptations. All that He is, has, and does is for them - including His attributes and promises.
These who love God are safe - for there is no cunning, strength, or malice that can prevail against His wisdom, power, and goodness.
"...If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Notice that this text does not imply the absence of danger and opposition. The Word of God and experience teach that there will be both. In fact, this text supposes the existence of a combined and powerful hostility against God's people. But it implies that nothing will prevail against them.
"...who can be against us?"
This seems to be a rather strange question - considering all who are "against" the Christians - including sinners, Satan, the world, etc. These may be intent on injuring or destroying the people of God, but their friendship with God so completely protects them from all their enemies - be they ever so great and strong...ever so many... ever so mighty...or ever so malicious.
Let man do his worst, he is only a puppet moved by God's hand. Let the wicked do their worst, they are restrained. "Let Satan do his worst, he is chained; let the world do its worst, it is conquered." (Matthew Henry)
Knowing that God was for him (hence nothing could prevail against him), Athanasius said - "I have truth on my side, and therefore against the world I stand." (The Biblical Illustrator)
The Biblical Illustrator also relates the account of another man who understood this principle - "Latimer greatly displeased Henry VIII, by his boldness in a sermon, and was ordered to make an apology on the following Sabbath. After reading his text, he began: - 'Hugh Latimer dost thou know before whom thou art this day to speak? To the king's most excellent majesty, who can take away thy life; therefore, take heed that thou speakest not a word that may displease; but then consider well, Hugh, from whence thou comest; upon whose message thou art sent! Even by the mighty God! Who is all-present, and Who beholdeth all thy ways, and Who is able to cast thy soul into hell! Therefore, take care that thou deliverest thy message faithfully,' He then proceeded with the same sermon, but with more energy. Such courage should all God's children show when they have to do with man...."
"The Inscription on the front of Downing Hall, North Wales, translated, runs thus, 'Without God, without all, with God, enough.' " (The Biblical Illustrator)
"...If God be for us, who can be against us?"
Do you really believe that having "God for you" is "enough"?
Then tell me - considering what is going on in the world today - how will you face your opposition?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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