Do You Doubt God Is With Us?

What then will we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 

What are these things that Apostle Paul mentions? If we look at the context of Romans chapter 8, we find that the things which Paul speaks of are the sufferings we endure on this side of our home in heaven. We groan inwardly as we await the time when we will forever enjoy status as sons and daughters of the King. As we wait, we struggle with our sin to the point that our confidence in the faith often fails us in our prayer life. The Spirit then must intercede for us in our prayer lives bringing our utterances into line with the will of the Father. Yet, in all these things, God has promised to work for our good. We have been called according to His purpose through the waters of baptism. 

Yes, all of these things… sin, death, the evil one, doubt, despair, and temptation… trouble us in this life. But, in faith in Christ, they have all been overcome. As Paul reminds the faithful in Rome, he also reminds us of a strengthening truth. If God is for us, who can be against us? What enemy or temptation or trial or struggle can overcome us? Our needs are provided by the Almighty Creator God. Our safety is assured by the God who commands legions of holy angels. Our salvation has been won and granted and confirmed. Daily struggles will come, but they do not remove us from God’s hand. Threats to our health may come, but they do not separate us from the Great Physician. The evil one may accuse of sin and unbelief, but he cannot condemn us since we are under God’s declaration of being not guilty. 

Should we ever doubt that God is with us, we need only to look to the cross. Are we in need in any way? We should not doubt that we have a God who provides for us. Why should we not doubt? Paul reminds us God did not spare His Son from the shame, degradation, and death on the cross because God had our salvation in mind. Our greatest need was met through the death of the Father’s greatest treasure, His one and only Son, the One in whom He was well pleased. In comparison to His filling this greatest need, our daily needs are light and momentary. If God is with us in our salvation, He will certainly be there for us in our need for provision and protection. 

And He will be with Immanuel in the next months as He slowly reveals His will for our future. If God is with us, who can be against us? We do not fully see how the next few months will be opened to our congregation. Calls may be accepted, and calls may be returned. Our current plans may blossom into fruition or have to be trimmed to fit what God reveals. We plan. We support. We encourage. We pray. We trust that, come what may, God is with us, and His will will be done through our ministries. 

Blessings as we journey into the unknown of the next few months together, 

Frank Van Brocklin 

Principal Teacher 

Coming up at Immanuel Lutheran School in the near future:

❖ Our teachers will be in Oconomowoc this February 15 and 16 for the winter district teachers’ conference. There will be no school on those days. Classes will resume on Monday, February 19. 

❖ Parents’ Night for our basketball season will be on our last home game, Tuesday, February 20. Parents’ Night is an opportunity to thank our team parents for their support of our students and our school. 

❖ Our next faculty meeting will be on February 22 after school. 

❖ All Sports Night will be Friday, February 23, from 6:00 - 10:00 PM.

❖ There will be no school February 26 through March 1 for our late winter, sort of spring, break.