Cyd Mizell and Romans 8:31-39

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? 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 with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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. (Rom 8:28-39 ESV)

The message yesterday was on Rom. 8:28-39. An interesting passage in light of a week that brought difficult news about someone many of us prayed so hard for.

And so I had to ask God: Were You for Cyd Mizell when she was captured and killed? Does this passage apply to martyrs, or only those of us blessed to be able to spiritualize the message it brings rather than live it literally?

My pastor's words were helpful. He observed that v. 28 is for believers - those that love God - and that the "good" that all things work for is our Christlikeness, and that the list of things that can't separate us from God's love - tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword - are the "all things" that Paul mentions in verse 28. My logical mind plugs in the phrases relevant to what I know of Cyd's situation:

"And we know that for those that love God

• tribulation works together for good"
• distress works together for good"
• persecution works together for good"
• danger works together for good"

So, if God is for us, who can be against us? We answer "no one". Yet Cyd's captors were obviously against her. How can this be? Paul answers not that these things never happen, but that they don't separate us from his love. God is FOR us - so He justifies, and that stops the condemnation. God is FOR us, so we have the benefit of Christ's intercession. God is FOR us, so nothing separates us from His love. God is FOR us, so we can be simultaneously sheep sent to slaughter, and yet more than conquerors. God is FOR us, and so no one is successfully against us. Not because their earthly schemes always fail, but because they push us deeper into the arms of God. God was not distant in Job's life, and He was not absent in Cyd's last days.

Cyd experiences Him in a way we all only imagine. She is always with the Lord. We see through a glass darkly; she sees face to face (1 Cor. 13). We struggle through the process of sanctification; she is free not only from sin's penalty and sin's power, but also from its presence. We have quiet times before we go out to be in but not of the world; she has throne room worship.

No, the schemes of her kidnappers did not success in separating her from God's love. What they meant for evil, God used as the very tool to usher her to His side, to hear those words we all long for: "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord."

Indeed, God was for Cyd Mizell. Romans 8 did not return void.

Hallelujah and Amen.