I know I often write about My Utmost For His Highest, but I'm going to again! If you do not have a copy of this devotional, I highly recommend getting one. There is so much wisdom flowing from its pages that is all rooted in the scripture. The verses spoken of in the passage for March 7th were Romans 8:37...
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”
Chapter 8 goes on to say, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
While we may see obstacles in our life as insurmountable hurdles, they will never separate us from the love of The Lord. This is something we may often hear and yet still forget. The bedrock of our faith is unmerited. We did not do anything to earn Christ's love. And because nothing we have done allowed us to receive it, nothing we do or go through can separate us from it.
So do not see your obstacles as things we must overcome to get back to the Lord. As verse 37 states...we are more than conquerors through Christ! He is with us through the battle. My Utmost For His Highest makes an analogy with the surf of the ocean. While it may distress the ordinary swimmer, it creates a super joy in the surf rider. The rider knows he will find joy in tackling the waves. Know that you are a conqueror in the midst of your struggle, not in spite of it!
The passage also mentioned how "undaunted radiance" is not built on the passing, but the love of God that nothing can alter. Undaunted means without intimidation or discouragement when faced with difficulty, danger, or disappointment. Radiance is the light or heat emitted or reflected by something.
The love of the Lord allows us to take on life without fear. As we face difficulties, we are polished and refined to reflect God. In Isaiah 1:25, the Lord says how he will “thoroughly purge away your dross and remove all your impurities.” Dross is a byproduct of melting and refining metal. You have to skim off the impure dross until you see your reflection. While this passage was directed to a group of people in the Bible who were becoming disobedient, I feel that it is also a reminder for those who are obedient. We must allow the Lord to refine us in order to radiate his reflection.