Paul continues to explore the anguish he feels over his own people disbelieve. What does Paul make of Israel's refusal to acknowledge Christ. Romans 10 is an explanation of that question but it is also an expression of the hope and trust Paul has in God. As he quotes Isaiah, "I was found by those who did not seek me."

Paul anticipates that many may feel like God is abandoning his promises and history with Israel. Paul wrestles with the question and acknowledges that for him, this topic comes with great anguish of heart. Paul longs for all of Israel to receive Jesus as their messiah. 

But Paul acknowledges that God's ways are above ours. Even reflecting on their own history, who could have predicted or planned what God had done.

Paul concludes Romans 8 with his strongest words of assurance. What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. We explore the culmination of Paul's word of assurance for believers.

Paul continues to build his case for the assurance we have through the Spirit. Previously, Paul said that our ability to pray, "Abba, Father," was proof of the Spirit working in us. But now Paul adds that even when we don't know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us. 

Paul turns his attention to this new life in the Spirit and he connects the two images of a debtor and a child. It is a part of a bigger topic for Paul, how can we be assured of this new way? How can we be assured of our salvation?

Paul draws his discussion of the law to its final conclusion. "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

Paul explains how the law brings us to that final conclusion. We are in need of a savior.

Paul was willing to use any analogy he could to help clarify the relationship between Christ and the law. In Romans 7, Paul turns to the image of marriage. 

Slavery is a common way the Bible depicts sin. It does so with the knowledge of Israel's long history under Egyptian slavery. But Paul takes the image further. He explains how believers are now a slave to righteousness. What does he mean?

As we near the end of our psalms of ascent, the pilgrim's attention is turned to the community ahead—a nation worshiping together in Israel. 

It can all seem like our accomplishment: our journey, our success, our worship. But Psalm 133 teaches us that community is never an achievement. Psalm 133 teaches us to receive.

Psalm 131 remembers the faithfulness of David through difficulty—suffering inflicted by others and his own personal failures. Still, David persevered on. 

The Psalm also recounts the faithfulness of God. It teaches us the relationship between remembering and obeying, that faithfulness is always marked by a memory of God's faithfulness.