We All Have Much In Common (or, We All Need God)

Rom.8:35-39Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:“For Your sake we are killed all day long;We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” (Ps.44:22) 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Cor.4:7-9But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; We all have discouragements, doubts and wants and wishes, still withheldAnd worlds within, where those without cannot behold dream-castles felledWhere we are often soundly taught by age-old laws of live-and-learnBecause wisdom cannot be bought, but is something we all must earn We all have reason to lament when love is buffeted and kickedWe all need God to heal and mend the wounds life is bound to inflictThus, we should all call upon Him; before the silence of the graveBecause there is no other Name under Heaven able to save Nothing is greater than God’s love, though sometimes hate appears to beBecause it is the servant of pride and deceit’s barbarityEvil is handicapped by Time; but because God is love, love ISHis truth endures: He IS Sublime; greater IS He than all of This We all have holy hurts and hopes, and long for happiness made wholeWhere, without God the spirit gropes but cannot find rest for the soulTherefore, we all should purpose to be kinder to our fellowmanBecause we are all part of who God knew would need salvation’s plan We all need hope; invalid, save through the power of Christ’s shed bloodBut what a wondrous hope we have in the redeeming love of God(He IS the Way, the Truth, The Life) His everlasting love prevailsNo matter what trial or strife may test our faith, Love never fails We have treasure in jars of clay, no worldly avenger can seizeWe know that come whatever may God’s pow’r transcends all enemiesHis truth endures forevermore; His is judgement and mercy’s seatThen lift your voice and praise Him for His love no rival can defeat We all have much in common in this very broken human raceBut most of all the love of One who saves us through His Son, by graceWe all need God; without Him every earthly gain is utter lossBut with Him every grief and pain reflects the glory of the cross Janet Martin Matt.5:3-12“Blessed are the poor in spirit,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4 Blessed are those who mourn,For they shall be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek,For they shall inherit the []earth.6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.7 Blessed are the merciful,For they shall obtain mercy.8 Blessed are the pure in heart,For they shall see God.9 Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God.10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.