by Jamie Pantastico | May 14, 2025 | Romans 8 - A Chapter of Victory, Assurance, and Glory |
Focus Verse
Romans 8:31
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Devotional Insight
What an incredible promise: God is for us. But let’s be clear—this doesn’t mean that believers are promised a life free from suffering, danger, or opposition.
The Apostle Paul, who wrote these words under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, endured unimaginable hardship for the sake of the Gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:24–28). He was beaten, shipwrecked, imprisoned, and constantly in peril—yet he confidently declared, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
That’s the key: our confidence isn’t rooted in circumstances—it’s rooted in Christ.
This same pattern is seen throughout Scripture. Hebrews 11 speaks of faithful believers who accomplished mighty victories through faith—“subdued kingdoms, stopped the mouths of lions”—but it also tells of those who suffered, were tortured, mocked, and killed, “that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35).
Being a child of God doesn’t mean we are immune to the pain of this world. It means that even in the fire, even in the trial, we are never alone. Nothing and no one can ultimately stand against those who belong to Christ. Not because we’re strong—but because He is.
God’s love, His calling, and His eternal purposes are unstoppable. And that’s what Romans 8:31 assures us of: whatever we face, no enemy can triumph over the one whom God has justified and glorified. The powers of darkness may touch the body, but they cannot touch the soul—for we are eternally secure in Him.
So when hardship comes—and it will—remember this unshakable truth:
God is for you. Who can possibly stand against that?
Reading Plan
- 2 Corinthians 11:24–28 — Paul’s sufferings as a servant of Christ
- Hebrews 11:33–38 — The victories and the sufferings of faithful believers
- Matthew 10:28 — Jesus’ warning and comfort about the fear of man
- Romans 8:28–39 — The unstoppable love and purpose of God for His people
A Word of Encouragement
No matter what trial, persecution, or loss you may face, you are never alone. God is not only with you—He is for you. Let that promise silence fear and anchor your heart. You belong to Him, and He will carry you through.
by Jamie Pantastico | May 13, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
God’s Plan Through Israel and the Church – Part 6
For Your Edification and Encouragement
After calling Abraham, God began to form a new race of people—a nation for Himself. These people would come from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They would be God’s earthly people, set apart from all the nations.
“For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.”
— Deuteronomy 7:6
Not Because of Greatness—But Because of Love
“The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people… but because the Lord loves you…”
— Deuteronomy 7:7–8
God didn’t choose Israel because they were mighty or righteous. He chose them because of His love and sovereign purpose. He had a plan—and it would unfold through this people.
You might ask, “If God chose Israel, does that mean He doesn’t love the rest of us?”
Absolutely not.
God is sovereign—He can do whatever He wants. And in His perfect plan, He chose to reveal Himself through one nation, Israel, but He also made provision to save the whole world. Today, in this age of grace, anyone—Jew or Gentile—can be saved by believing the gospel. That’s it.
‘But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), ‘
Ephesians 2:4-5
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself…”
— 2 Corinthians 5:19
Even when we were lost in sin, God loved us. He sent His Son to die in our place, pay the debt we could never pay, and reconcile us to Himself—so He could pour out His grace upon all who believe.
🕊️ No rituals. No religious system.
✝️ Just faith in the finished work of Christ.
That’s the power of God’s grace.
Israel Was to Be a Kingdom of Priests
“And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”
— Exodus 19:6
Israel’s ultimate role was to be a light to the Gentiles, to mediate the knowledge of the one true God to the world. Though that role is postponed because they’re unbelief that Jesus was indeed the Christ, it will be fulfilled in the future Kingdom when Israel takes her place as the head of the nations (Isaiah 2:1–3).
The Mosaic Covenant: A National Constitution
At Mount Sinai, God gave Israel the Law—not as a means of salvation, but as a way to govern the nation and prepare them for their Kingdom role. This included:
- The Ten Commandments
- Ceremonial law (sacrifices, feasts, priesthood)
- Civil law (judgments, national structure)
This covenant was conditional: blessings for obedience, curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28). But it never replaced the Abrahamic Covenant, which was unconditional.
Why This Matters
From this point in Scripture (Exodus onward), God deals exclusively with Israel. Gentiles are strangers to the covenants (Ephesians 2:11–12). Until Paul, God works through Israel alone—with very rare exceptions (e.g., Rahab, Ruth, Naaman, Cornelius). From Abraham to Paul, 2000 years, there were only 9 Gentiles saved.
Israel is central to:
- The giving of the Law
- The priesthood and tabernacle
- The promise of the Messiah
- The future earthly Kingdom
God’s plan is moving forward—not through the Gentiles, and not through the Church—but through Israel.
by Jamie Pantastico | May 13, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Introduction: Historical and Prophetic Background of Psalm 83
- Author: Asaph (Levite, prophet, and worship leader under King David)
- Date Written: ~1000–950 BC
- Audience: The nation of Israel
- Purpose: A national plea for divine intervention against a hostile alliance
Psalm 83 is the final song in the collection attributed to Asaph (Psalms 73–83). It captures a time when Israel faced the threat of annihilation by a confederation of neighboring enemies. While there is no historical record of all ten listed nations uniting in one war, the psalm reflects the ongoing, surrounding hostility Israel endured during the early monarchy—and may prophetically speak to a future attempt to erase Israel from existence.
This psalm is not only a prayer for deliverance but also a prophetic foreshadowing of end-time opposition against Israel, reminding readers:
“That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, Are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18)
Psalm 83: A Timeless Warning Against the Enemies of Israel
Psalm 83 is not merely a historical lament—it is an eternal warning. It was true in Asaph’s day (3000 years ago), and it’s still true now. This psalm reveals Satan’s relentless strategy: eliminate Israel to thwart God’s promises. No Israel, no King. No King, no Kingdom. That’s the aim behind every alliance, resolution, protest, or policy that seeks to weaken or erase the Jewish nation. The confederacy of nations listed in Psalm 83—Edom, Moab, Ammon, Philistia, and others—may have ancient names, but their modern counterparts are very much alive and conspiring today. These enemies haven’t disappeared; they’ve simply rebranded.
We are witnessing Psalm 83 in real time. Arab nations and global powers are once again gathering behind closed doors, scheming under the banner of “peace” or “justice” for Gaza—but their true aim is Israel’s isolation and destruction. The war in Gaza has become the excuse, the smoke screen. Headlines today echo the ancient cry: “Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation.” The pressure against Israel is global. The United Nations. The European Union. Iran. Russia. And yes, even our beloved America—once a faithful ally—is now wavering. But God is not silent, and Psalm 83 reminds us that He will have the final word.
Ancient Enemies, Modern Counterparts and a Close Allie
Psalm 83 describes a confederation of nations plotting to “cut off Israel from being a nation.” Though this has never happened in history exactly as described, we may be witnessing the early stages of this prophecy unfolding today.
Here’s how the nations listed in Psalm 83 correspond to modern-day locations and their relevance:
| Psalm 83 Nation |
Modern Equivalent |
Current Relevance |
| Edom |
Southern Jordan |
Jordan maintains a fragile peace with Israel; tensions persist. |
| Ishmaelites |
Arab tribes (Saudi Arabia) |
Warming ties with Israel, but underlying religious hostility remains. |
| Moab |
Central Jordan |
Jordan’s population includes many Palestinians; still a source of tension. |
| Hagrites |
Northern Saudi Arabia |
Historically hostile; region symbolic of early Arab opposition. |
| Gebal |
Lebanon (southern coastal region) |
Hezbollah stronghold—openly anti-Israel. |
| Ammon |
Northern Jordan |
Diplomatic ties, but Jordan’s role in Arab alliances keeps pressure on Israel. |
| Amalek |
Southern Israel / Sinai / Negev area |
Symbolic of long-standing spiritual enmity toward Israel. |
| Philistia |
Gaza Strip (Palestinians) |
Ruled by Hamas—actively seeks Israel’s destruction. |
| Tyre |
Lebanon (modern-day Hezbollah territory) |
Tyre was a wealthy city; now part of Hezbollah’s terror network. |
| Assyria |
Syria and parts of Iraq |
Syrian regime and Iranian-backed militias threaten northern Israel. |
A Call to Prayer and Watchfulness
Now is the time for the Body of Christ to be sober and watchful. We must not remain silent as the world gathers against Israel. If Psalm 83 teaches us anything, it’s that God is not indifferent to the schemes of the nations—He sees, He hears, and in His perfect time, He acts. So we pray: not in fear, but in faith. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6). Pray for Israel’s protection. And pray that many—Jew and Gentile alike—come to salvation through Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Let us also take heart in this truth:
“Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)
And to Gentile believers, Romans 11:16–24 serves as both a reminder and a warning. We are not the root—we are grafted in, partakers of the rich blessings of the olive tree only because of God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel. Paul urges us not to boast against the natural branches, for it is not we who support the root, but the root that supports us. This should produce in us gratitude and humility, not pride. The blessings we enjoy under grace flow through the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
‘do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.’
Romans 11:18
So as we see the nations gather once again against Israel, let us pray with urgency, stand with boldness, and rest in the assurance that the God who keeps Israel never sleeps. And neither do His promises.
by Jamie Pantastico | May 11, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
God’s Plan Through Israel and the Church – Part 5
For Your Edification and Encouragement
Two thousand years after Adam, and just two centuries after Babel, mankind has once again fallen into idolatry and spiritual darkness. The world is pagan, the nations are scattered, and no one seeks after God.
So God does something brand new (but already preordained before time began): He calls out one man, Abram (later called Abraham), from the line of Shem, to create a nation for Himself.
“Now the Lord had said to Abram:
‘Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.’”
— Genesis 12:1
The Covenant Promises (Genesis 12:1–3)
God makes seven promises to Abraham:
- I will make you a great nation.
- I will bless you.
- I will make your name great.
- You shall be a blessing.
- I will bless those who bless you.
- I will curse those who curse you.
- In you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.
This is the beginning of the Abrahamic Covenant, which is later expanded to include:
- A land grant (Genesis 15:18–21)
- A physical lineage and people (Genesis 17)
- An everlasting covenant with Abraham’s seed
And Paul tells us in Galatians 3:16:
“Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made… and to your Seed, who is Christ.”
A New Race of People
From Abraham will come the Jewish people, the nation of Israel—a people set apart by God, through whom:
- The Scriptures would come
- The Law would come
- The Messiah would come
God calls Abraham out of the mainstream of humanity and separates his descendants as His own inheritance (Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 7:6–8).
Why This Matters
- The Abrahamic Covenant is unconditional, eternal, and foundational.
- The rest of the Bible builds upon this covenant.
- If you don’t understand this covenant, you can’t understand the prophetic plan of God.
- These promises were made to Israel, not to the Church.
Believers, members of the body of Christ which is His church, are partakers of these promises by believing the gospel.
God’s redemptive plan moves forward—not through all mankind—but through Israel, the nation God Himself created from Abraham. Even in this Church Age, Gentiles are partakers of the promises God made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David.
by Jamie Pantastico | May 10, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
God’s Plan Through Israel and the Church – Part 4
For Your Edification and Encouragement
After the flood, God gave Noah and his sons a simple command:
“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth.”
— Genesis 9:1
But mankind, still carrying the Adamic nature, rebelled again. Instead of spreading out, they gathered together under a man named Nimrod (Genesis 10:8–10), in the land of Shinar (modern-day Iraq), and began building a tower that would reach to heaven.
The Tower: A Symbol of Defiance
“Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves…”
— Genesis 11:4
This was more than architecture. It was rebellion—a centralized, humanistic religion. Babel was the birthplace of organized paganism and spiritual defiance. Rather than glorify God, they wanted to exalt themselves.
God Intervenes
“But the Lord came down…”
— Genesis 11:5
God confounded their language and scattered the people across the face of the earth. The united rebellion was broken, and the nations were born.
Deuteronomy 32:8–9 gives a crucial insight:
“When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations,
When He separated the sons of Adam,
He set the boundaries of the peoples
According to the number of the children of Israel.
For the Lord’s portion is His people;
Jacob is the place of His inheritance.”
God moves from dealing directly with all mankind and to calling out one man through whom He would form race of people for Himself, His own nation—Israel.