May 24, 2010 (1 Kings 9, 2 Chron. 8, Psalm 136, Romans 5)
May 24, 2010 by Pastor Kevin
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Bible Reading Comments
More than what? What is it that we are comparing our “rejoicing in” to? In verse 2, Paul said that we rejoice in the “hope of the glory of God”. Then he adds … but hold on, we rejoice even more in our suffering (trials, testing, pressure … stress) than we rejoice in our hope of glory. Really? Is it possible that we are supposed to see difficulties and trials as “hopeful”? A truly God-centered perspective is going to lead us to the place of being quicker to acknowledge God is at work in us. It is this work in us that focuses our hearts on truly eternal realities instead of worldly ambitions and thought of worldly gain. When (and yes it is “when”, not “if”) we experience suffering, we really can rejoice in it with integrity because we know that coming through that suffering will bring us to a new and better place of relationship with the God who loves us. Are you suffering now? God is at work, and you have an opportunity to know him more and more through it. May He grant us grace to see EVERY circumstance through eternal perspective.
Prayer
God in Heaven who loves us with an unfailing love. I ask for your grace and your strength to walk through every trial with faith, knowing that you are working in us a greater hope that is lasting and that comes from You. Help us to truly know the truth as we live it, and to be set free from the world’s ways more and more as we know you truly. Be glorified in and through us . . . because Jesus makes it possible. Amen.
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May 24, 2010 (1 Kings 9, 2 Chron. 8, Psalm 136, Romans 5)
May 24, 2010 by Pastor Kevin
Bible Reading Comments
More than what? What is it that we are comparing our “rejoicing in” to? In verse 2, Paul said that we rejoice in the “hope of the glory of God”. Then he adds … but hold on, we rejoice even more in our suffering (trials, testing, pressure … stress) than we rejoice in our hope of glory. Really? Is it possible that we are supposed to see difficulties and trials as “hopeful”? A truly God-centered perspective is going to lead us to the place of being quicker to acknowledge God is at work in us. It is this work in us that focuses our hearts on truly eternal realities instead of worldly ambitions and thought of worldly gain. When (and yes it is “when”, not “if”) we experience suffering, we really can rejoice in it with integrity because we know that coming through that suffering will bring us to a new and better place of relationship with the God who loves us. Are you suffering now? God is at work, and you have an opportunity to know him more and more through it. May He grant us grace to see EVERY circumstance through eternal perspective.
Prayer
God in Heaven who loves us with an unfailing love. I ask for your grace and your strength to walk through every trial with faith, knowing that you are working in us a greater hope that is lasting and that comes from You. Help us to truly know the truth as we live it, and to be set free from the world’s ways more and more as we know you truly. Be glorified in and through us . . . because Jesus makes it possible. Amen.
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