If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?
October 12–18, 2026
Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church Pastor Kabrene Pittman
Sermon Scripture: Romans 8:28–31 (KJV)
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?” — Romans 8:31
Introduction: Understanding God’s Promise
In Sunday’s sermon, we learned that having God on our side does not mean
we will never experience trouble, opposition, disappointment, or fear. It
means that none of these things can overturn God’s ultimate purpose for our
lives.
In Romans chapter 8, the Apostle Paul teaches that God’s love, His Spirit,
and His promises provide strength for believers during difficult times.
This week’s study will help us understand that promise more deeply through
seven different scriptures. Each day includes biblical background, a lesson
explaining the scripture, a practical application, and questions for personal
reflection.
Day 1: Monday, October 12
God Is Working Even When You Cannot See It
Scripture: Romans 8:28 (KJV)
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,
to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Biblical Background
The Apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Christians in Rome around AD 57,
probably while staying in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece.
The Roman church included Jewish and Gentile believers who were learning
how to live together in faith. Paul wanted them to understand that salvation
comes through Jesus Christ and that God’s grace gives believers hope even
during suffering.
Romans 8 discusses life in the Spirit, the suffering of creation, and the future
glory promised to God’s children.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
When Paul says that all things work together for good, he is not suggesting
that everything that happens to us is good.
Some experiences are painful. Some disappointments are unfair. Some
situations leave us confused and discouraged.
Paul is teaching that God can work through these circumstances to
accomplish His greater purpose.
It is important to understand that the word good in this passage is connected
to the following verse, Romans 8:29. God’s ultimate purpose is to shape
believers into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Sometimes God develops patience through waiting, compassion through
suffering, or wisdom through difficult decisions.
We may not always see immediate results, but our circumstances do not place
us beyond God’s care.
Applying the Word: Think about something in your life that has not turned
out as expected. Instead of asking only, “Why did this happen?” consider
asking, “How can God help me grow through this experience?”
Reflection Questions
● What does Paul mean when he says that all things work together for
good?
● How is God’s definition of good sometimes different from our own?
● What situation are you trusting God to work through?
Prayer: Lord, help me trust Your purpose even when I do not understand my
circumstances. Amen.
Day 2: Tuesday, October 13
God’s Presence Is Greater Than Our Fear
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will
strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right
hand of my righteousness.”
Biblical Background
The book of Isaiah contains messages of warning, judgment, restoration, and
hope.
Isaiah 40–55 particularly speaks comfort to God’s people in the setting of
Babylonian exile and anticipated restoration.
Many Israelites had experienced the loss of their homeland, the destruction of
Jerusalem, and separation from familiar surroundings.
God’s people needed reassurance that He had not forgotten His covenant with
them.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
Notice how many promises God makes in this one verse.
God promises His presence, His strength, His help, and His sustaining power.
The command “Fear thou not” is followed by the reason: “for I am with
thee.”
God does not tell His people that there is nothing frightening around them.
Instead, He reminds them that they do not have to face frightening
circumstances without Him.
The reference to God’s righteous right hand symbolizes His power,
faithfulness, and ability to uphold His people.
This scripture teaches that faith is not the absence of fear. Faith is learning to
trust God’s presence even while facing uncertainty.
Applying the Word: When you feel anxious about the future, remind yourself
that you do not have to know every answer to trust the God who walks with
you.
Reflection Questions
● Why was God’s promise of His presence important to the Israelites?
● What is the difference between trusting God and expecting life to be
easy?
● Which promise in Isaiah 41:10 speaks most directly to your situation?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, strengthen me when I feel afraid and remind me that
Your presence is always near. Amen.
Day 3: Wednesday, October 14
Give God More Attention Than Your Problems
Scripture: Psalm 27:1 (KJV)
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is
the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Biblical Background
Psalm 27 is traditionally attributed to David, although the specific
circumstances surrounding its composition are unknown.
David’s life included periods of danger, conflict, betrayal, and uncertainty.
The psalm moves between expressions of strong confidence in God and
heartfelt requests for His help.
This combination teaches us that believers can experience fear and still
possess genuine faith.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
David describes God using three important expressions.
First, God is his light. In the Bible, light frequently represents guidance, truth,
and deliverance from darkness.
Second, God is his salvation. David understands that his ultimate security
comes from God’s ability to rescue and preserve him.
Third, God is the strength of his life. The Hebrew expression conveys the
idea of a stronghold or place of protection.
David’s confidence does not come from pretending that his enemies are
powerless. It comes from recognizing that God is his greater source of
security.
When we spend all our time rehearsing our problems, our problems can begin
to dominate our thinking.
But when we spend time studying scripture, praying, and remembering God’s
faithfulness, we begin to see our circumstances from a different perspective.
Applying the Word: Today, spend five minutes reading Psalm 27 before
discussing or worrying about your biggest problem.
Reflection Questions
● Why does David describe God as light, salvation, and strength?
● How can remembering God’s past faithfulness strengthen our present
confidence?
● Are you giving more attention to your fears or to God’s promises?
Prayer: Lord, help me give Your Word a greater place in my thoughts than
my worries. Amen.
Day 4: Thursday, October 15
When the Battle Belongs to God
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 20:15 (KJV)
“Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is
not yours, but God’s.”
Biblical Background
Second Chronicles describes the history of Judah’s kings and emphasizes the
importance of worship, obedience, and dependence on God.
In chapter 20, King Jehoshaphat learns that a large coalition of enemy forces
is approaching Judah.
Judah was the southern kingdom, with Jerusalem as its capital.
Jehoshaphat responds by proclaiming a fast and gathering the people to seek
God’s help.
God then speaks through Jahaziel, a Levite, reassuring the people that He will
deliver them.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
One of the most important lessons in this passage is that Jehoshaphat prayed
before attempting to solve the crisis.
In verse 12, he acknowledges that Judah does not have the strength to defeat
the approaching army.
He declares, “Neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.”
This is a powerful example of spiritual humility.
Jehoshaphat does not pretend to have all the answers. He recognizes his
limitations and places his confidence in God.
However, God’s promise that the battle belongs to Him does not mean the
people have no responsibility.
They are still instructed to go out, take their positions, and witness God’s
deliverance.
Faith involves trusting God’s power while remaining obedient to His
instructions.
Applying the Word: Before reacting to a difficult situation, seek God in
prayer. Ask for wisdom to recognize what you should do and what you must
entrust to Him.
Reflection Questions
● Why did Jehoshaphat call the people together to pray?
● What can we learn from his willingness to admit that he did not know
what to do?
● How can we distinguish between trusting God and avoiding our
responsibilities?
Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom to know when to act and faith to trust You
with what I cannot control. Amen.
Day 5: Friday, October 16
Learning to Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him,
because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for
his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
Biblical Background
Before David became king over Israel, he spent time living among the
Philistines while fleeing King Saul.
David and his men had been staying in Ziklag, a town in southern Canaan.
When they returned from a journey, they discovered that Amalekite raiders
had burned the town and taken their families captive.
David’s own men were so overwhelmed with grief that they considered
killing him.
David found himself facing personal loss, leadership pressure, and rejection
from the people closest to him.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
The Bible does not say that David was unaffected by what happened.
He was deeply distressed.
Yet the final portion of verse 6 tells us that David strengthened himself in the
Lord.
The following verses show David seeking God’s direction before pursuing
the Amalekites.
This reveals an important spiritual principle: encouragement is not simply
telling ourselves that everything will be fine.
Biblical encouragement involves remembering who God is, turning to Him
for strength, and seeking His guidance.
We can encourage ourselves today by reading scripture, recalling God’s
faithfulness, praying honestly, and replacing hopeless thoughts with truths
grounded in God’s Word.
David’s example also reminds us that spiritual strength does not require
pretending we are never hurt.
We can acknowledge our pain while continuing to trust God.
Applying the Word: Choose one scripture that reminds you of God’s
faithfulness. Write it down, read it aloud, and return to it whenever
discouragement enters your thoughts.
Reflection Questions
● What circumstances caused David to become distressed?
● What is the difference between encouraging yourself in the Lord and
simply thinking positively?
● Which scripture can you use to strengthen your faith this week?
Prayer: Father, when I feel discouraged, teach me to find strength in Your
Word and guidance through prayer. Amen.
Day 6: Saturday, October 17
More Than Conquerors Through Christ
Scripture: Romans 8:37 (KJV)
“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved
us.”
Biblical Background
Romans chapter 8 concludes with one of Paul’s strongest declarations about
God’s love.
Paul lists several hardships that believers might face, including tribulation,
distress, persecution, hunger, and danger.
These were not imaginary concerns. Early Christians lived in a world where
following Jesus could bring social rejection and serious hardship.
Paul wanted believers to understand that suffering could not cancel God’s
love for them.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
The phrase “more than conquerors” comes from a Greek expression
describing overwhelming victory.
But notice something important about Paul’s statement.
He does not say believers become conquerors because they are strong
enough, intelligent enough, or capable enough.
He says victory comes “through him that loved us.”
Our confidence rests in Jesus Christ.
This does not mean every challenge will end exactly as we hope.
Rather, Paul teaches that suffering cannot separate believers from God’s love
or defeat His ultimate purpose in Christ.
The verses that follow declare that neither death nor life nor any other created
thing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Applying the Word: When facing opposition, remember that your identity is
not determined by criticism, failure, or disappointment. Your worth is
grounded in God’s love.
Reflection Questions
● What hardships does Paul mention in Romans 8:35?
● Why does Paul emphasize that our victory comes through Christ?
● How can knowing that God’s love is secure change the way you
respond to disappointment?
Prayer: Jesus, help me remember that my hope and strength are found in Your
unfailing love. Amen.
Day 7: Sunday, October 18
When God Makes a Way Forward
Scripture: Exodus 14:13–14 (KJV)
“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the
salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians
whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The
LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
Biblical Background
The book of Exodus tells the story of God’s deliverance of the Israelites from
slavery in Egypt.
After Pharaoh allowed the Israelites to leave, he changed his mind and
pursued them with his army.
The Israelites found themselves near the sea with Egyptian forces
approaching.
The precise location of the sea crossing remains debated, but the biblical
account places the event along Israel’s journey out of Egypt toward the
wilderness.
The people were terrified because they believed there was no escape.
Digging Deeper into the Scripture
Moses tells the Israelites to stand still and witness God’s salvation.
At first, this may sound as though God wants them to remain motionless.
However, in Exodus 14:15, God tells Moses to instruct the Israelites to go
forward.
These instructions are not contradictory.
The people must stop panicking and trust God’s ability to deliver them, but
they must also move when God gives direction.
This passage teaches that faith involves both confidence and obedience.
Sometimes we must be patient and wait for God’s direction. At other times,
we must take a courageous step forward.
The important thing is that our decisions are guided by faith rather than fear.
Applying the Word: Identify one area of your life where fear has prevented
you from moving forward. Pray for wisdom, seek godly guidance, and
consider one practical step you can take.
Reflection Questions
● Why were the Israelites afraid at the Red Sea?
● What is the relationship between trusting God and obeying His
instructions?
● What might moving forward in faith look like in your life?
Prayer: Lord, help me trust You when the road ahead seems uncertain. Give
me patience to wait for Your guidance and courage to follow when You call
me forward. Amen.
Final Study Challenge
Return to Romans 8:31 and read it aloud:
“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?”
Consider what you have learned this week. Paul does not promise that we
will never face opposition. Instead, he assures us that no opposition can
ultimately defeat God’s saving purpose in Christ.
Ask yourself: Am I allowing my circumstances to determine my confidence,
or am I allowing God’s Word to shape the way I face my circumstances?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the opportunity to grow in our understanding
of Your Word. Teach us to trust Your promises, seek Your wisdom, and
recognize Your presence in every season of life. When we feel weak,
strengthen us. When we become discouraged, remind us of Your faithfulness.
When fear threatens to stop us, give us the courage to keep moving forward.
Help us live each day knowing that You are for us and that nothing can
separate us from Your love in Christ Jesus. Amen.
Ridge Avenue United Methodist Church
7811 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19128
Pastor Kabrene Pittman
Sunday Worship at 10:00 AM
Continue studying, continue praying, and continue growing in God’s Word
throughout the week.