Hope, the hope only faith can bring. The hope that his first arrival revealed to us in what He did and how He lived.
Let’s Pray:
Lord Jesus, thank You so much for coming the first time to earth to do what You did and reveal what You revealed. While we’re going to just read it in Romans 5 today, will You reveal what we don’t already realize? Thank You, Lord.
Romans 5:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
Please read Romans 5:1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed). 2 Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our [a]hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. 3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Footnotes
[a] Romans 5:2 In the NT the word “hope” expresses a cherished desire along with the confident assurance of obtaining that which is longed for.
Today we’re focusing on Verses 3-5.
3 And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; 4 and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. 5 Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
We can live our lives His way and know that all the hardship is producing endurance and character and hope and that hope, will never disappoint us. So with Joy we can exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships.
Is it just me or do Christmas lights bring hope and joy all the time too? You can download this image if you want to, to remember what we have been given and praise Him.
Help us, Lord. To see all our lives in this way. Because distress, pressure, and trouble are all over our lives. Yet I Trust You. And I know You’re in my life. So help us all see, Lord. Help us all reach spiritual maturity.
Merry Christmas!
Take me to the next one.
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