What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Romans 8:31-32

  The Old Testament patriarch, Abraham, experienced the forbearance of God. When God decided to wipe Sodom and Gomorrah off the map because of their heinous sin, Abraham began to wheedle with the Almighty, saying, “For the sake of fifty righteous people would You spare the place? How about forty-five? What if there’s only forty? Would You spare it for thirty? Maybe twenty? Ten?” Later, Abraham took his son to Mount Moriah in obedience to God’s command to sacrifice the boy. But at the last second, God provided a ram instead, sparing Isaac’s life and Abraham’s grief.

   God spared Lot from destruction in Sodom, He spared Noah from the flood, and David from Goliath. Paul’s life was spared in a shipwreck and Peter was rescued from prison. Yet, God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us. What can we possibly say to that? Certainly, we can trust the heart of the Father who would go to such extreme lengths to rescue us!

   There is an old story of a ship passenger who lived on crackers and cheese all the way across the Atlantic ocean only to learn that his meals were included in his ticket. Likewise, our salvation includes more than pardon from sin, deliverance from hell and a ticket to heaven. It includes all that we need while on our earthly journey.

  If there had been a limit on what God was willing to do in order to save us, surely He would have kept back His own Son. But no, God gave His very best, so we can trust that anything we need will be small potatoes in comparison.

Lord, what can I say in light of all You have done for me? You have spared me even though it cost Your Son His life. I know I can trust You to take care of everything else.