To fully experience peace, you must fully understand "these things."
Read / Listen
Read Romans 8:31-39
Listen to passage & devotional:
Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 121
Q. Why the words “in heaven”?
A. These words teach us
not to think of God’s heavenly
majesty as something earthly,
and to expect everything
for body and soul
from his almighty power.
Summary
Romans 8 is the most magnificent chapter in the Bible. I've often said to students that when (not if) they get to the end of their rope in life and don't know where else to turn, they will hear God speaking words of comfort from Romans 8 no matter what situation they're in.
It quickly becomes evident that this final passage of the chapter doesn't stand alone: the assurances listed here are conclusions that come "in response to these things." What do these things include? This chapter began with a declaration that there's no condemnation for those in Christ (v1-4); then it went on to reveal that the same Spirit who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body (v9-11) even as He helps you in your weakness (v26-27); it tells you that you've been made an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ (v14-17), and that God is sovereignly working out all things for the good of those who love Him (v28-30).
So after reading all about these things, it's not surprising that our Father isn't done there. Since giving you these things required that God "not spare His own Son," why would He not continue and "graciously give us all things? (v32)" This is what the Catechism tells us to "expect everything for body and soul from His almighty power."
So why is it that so often we fail to ask Him for everything?
Dig Deeper
To truly experience the peace of Christ that this amazing chapter conveys, you need to know what these things are that v31 references.
But the sad reality is that most Christians don't have a firm grasp of the theology described in Romans 8. They rarely read their Bibles, only show up occasionally to hear God's Word proclaimed and taught, don't take advantage of all the awesome Christian podcasts, videos, and other study materials that are at their fingertips, and they certainly don't pass these things on to younger disciples.
So it's no wonder that their prayers are not only rare, but also are so anemic. These poor Christians who've deprived themselves of truly understanding these things have very little to acknowledge and align their lives with when they do pray.
So although Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding on your behalf, remember that you will more deeply experience His peace the more deeply you understand these things that God has done for you.
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Father, who is for us and will graciously give us all things;
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the appetite to learn and understand all you can about these things that God has done for you;
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Ask for "everything you need for body and soul from His almighty power."
Read the New Testament in a year, a chapter a day - 1 Thessalonians 3
