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The Bible Study – Our readings for Thursday, Jan. 18 are Ezekiel 40:1-4; 43:1-12 & Romans 8:18-39. Ezekiel is given a vision of fulfilment, the renewed temple. Far more importantly, the prophet is provided a vision of the restoration of the relationship between God and man that will eventually come through “the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.” (Hebrews 10:10). Hope sustains Christian believers during suffering and persecution. The Holy Spirit helps us, interceding for us with God the Father. Our crucified and resurrected Saviour, who is at the right hand of the Father and our High Priest, intercedes for believers as well. Despite all that Christians endure in this life, no one can separate us from the salvation that is through faith in Christ for, “it is God who justifies.” (v.33) As the Apostle reassures, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (v.31) Sin, death, and the devil assail us, but can’t touch our spirit, or take away God’s promise of eternal life in Heaven. Paul comforts and encourages, “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.” Pastor Tom Steers Christ the Saviour Lutheran Church, Toronto http://christlutherantoronto.org/beliefs