Read 
Romans 7:14-25
Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!  Verse 25 (NIV) 

Reflect 
In several recent discussions with family members the common theme was, “I am so tired of the restrictions around COVID-19.” One of my kids said, “We are just not made to be isolated from other people.” Do you ever get the feeling that we will still be here for a long time? Despite reopening phases, we may never really get back to where we were before COVID-19. 

In Romans 7 Paul’s struggle is not with a health disease but a spiritual disease. His struggle is with sin and the requirements of the law. But he is able to end on a joyful note. He exclaims, “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! 

Paul’s spiritual struggle is also our spiritual struggle. Can anyone of us claim that we have not fallen short. Who could claim to go a whole day without stumbling into one sin or another? 

Like Paul we can say honestly, “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do – this I keep on doing.
Verses 18b-19 (NIV) 

The good news is I don’t have to try do it alone and if I did try, I could not do it.  Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, we can be confident of this, “that he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

God does not and will not fail. He has his world in his hands, and he has engraved us on his palms (Isaiah 49:16). This comforting assurance leads believers to shout, “Thanks be to God!”  Let’s make that claim today, in praise to our God, who has redeemed us and loves us with a love that will never die! 

Pray 
Lord Jesus, we come with thanksgiving for the deliverance you have given us. You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Perseverance

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