Romans 8: 38,39: (NASB) “For I am CONVINCED that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Several years ago, I went through a time of INTENSE spiritual warfare. One Sunday I was sitting in church praying fervently, as I felt the oppression coming over me. An Elder in our church who was leading in worship said he looked out at me, and it was as if a cloud was covering my face. (By the way, I come from a Reformed Presbyterian background…and these things were NOT commonplace in my circles!)

Nevertheless, this particular time as the battle raged, my prayers changed. Instead of begging God to take away the oppression, I asked Him to “glorify His name”, in and through the wrestling. Just as I released my prayer before the throne, “Father, glorify Thy Name.” John 12:28 was read from the pulpit: ” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”

Peace flooded my soul; I knew I was held securely in the invisible war, and that no principalities could separate me from the love of Jesus. Demons are created beings. They cannot separate us from the love of Christ. The battle is REAL, but the victory is ours. Christ WILL BE glorified!

The Apostle Paul wrote the above passage while he was in Corinth.
The Scriptures teach us that Paul endured many hardships. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, imprisoned…forsaken by friends. 2 Timothy 4:16,17 tells us when Paul was brought before Nero “all men forsook him, but the Lord stood by him.”

As believers, we are securely held in Christ in the midst of life’s sufferings, and NOTHING can separate us from His love. Friends, husbands, parents, children, etc. may forsake us, but Christ never will!

Romans 8: 38,39 mentions “angels or principalities”. Principalities are both the good and the bad angels (demons). Matthew Henry says, ”the good angels are engaged friends, the bad are restrained enemies.”

Demons are restrained, but nonetheless they are powerful foes! As life’s battles come our way, be it divorce, financial struggles, rebellious children, persecution, etc., the devil seeks to create doubt regarding our security in Christ. The enemy desires to make us believe we are separated from God’s love.

Ephesians 6:12 & 13 says: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”

At the root of life’s struggles, we are not wrestling with flesh and blood (or one another). We are wrestling with spiritual forces of darkness, principalities, or demons. We must take up the armor of God. Resist. Stand firm.

In Keith Getty’s song, In Christ Alone, he penned:
“No power of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.”

I exhort you to be CONVINCED that:
Neither death
Nor life
Nor principalities
Nor things in the present
Nor things to come
No power
No height
No depth
Nor any other created thing, will be able to separate you from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”