It Still Holds – August 12, 2026
Read: Romans 8:28-39
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
It Still Holds
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
There’s an episode of the show Bluey called “Cubby”, where Bluey and Bingo make a pillow fort for the ages. Have you ever built a pillow fort before? A really good one needs something to hold it together. You can use couch cushions or chairs. You can use clothespins, binder clips, or even some tape to try to hold the blankets up. But then someone crawls inside and the whole thing moves, shifts, and then . . . falls apart. Not everything holds.
You’ll notice that in today’s Bible reading, Paul talks about some very tough things: trouble, danger, hunger, pain, and even death. Things that are waaaaay too heavy for the pillow forts of our lives. And when those things happen, people might wonder, “Does God still love me? Did his promises fall apart, too?”
But the answer in Romans is clear: it still holds.
God’s love still holds when life is scary. God’s love still holds when our prayers aren’t answered the way we wanted them to be. God’s love still holds when people are mean to us, when we get sick, or when we feel worried.
How can Paul be so sure? Because of Jesus! “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also . . . graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). God already gave his only Son for you. God showed his love for us like this: while we were still stuck in sin, Jesus died for us. He carried your sins to the cross and rose again so you could know for sure that God’s love still holds.
So, when you wonder, “Is God still for me?” just look at Jesus. In him, God’s answer is yes. That doesn’t mean everything will be easy; Paul never says that. You will still have very hard days.
But the point is that those hard days cannot pull you away from Jesus. Sad days can’t take Jesus away from you. Scary days cannot remove you from his love. Because that love is not like tape on a pillow fort. It won’t slip, snap, or give up. In Jesus, God’s promise still holds.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for holding us in your love when life is hard or scary. Help us trust that nothing can separate us from you. Amen.
The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.
Questions for Younger Children
- Build a tiny “fort” with your hands. What would happen if it fell?
- Say this together: “Jesus’ love still holds!” Now write it down and put it somewhere the whole family can see it.
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- Name one thing that does not always hold together very well.
- What hard things does Paul say cannot separate us from God’s love?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- Why is it important that Paul does not pretend Christians will avoid trouble?
- When someone wonders, “Is God still for me?” how does Jesus answer that question?
