Romans 5:3-5
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Romans 5:3-5 NIV
We rejoice in the hope of God's glory, go through trials, and come out with stronger hope and assurance. Trials give further proof that we are God's children as He perfects us. Christian hope produces patience with trials, and patience strengthens hope. Hope leads to patience in enduring trials.
There is no vacation from human suffering and tragedy. A lot of people try to sort this out, understand it, and explain it. C. S. Lewis called it "the problem of pain." But there is a God, who, despite the worst tragedy, can bring good out of bad.
We acknowledge that life can be bad. We acknowledge that bad things can happen. We acknowledge that tragedies can come into the life of a Christian. But we must also acknowledge that God is sovereign, which means that He is in control. And we acknowledge that ultimately God can cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose.
Yet some hold the view that because they are Christians, they won't suffer. They may not state it outright, but they believe that bad things won't happen to them. However, the reality is that we will face trouble, too. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world".
If you put your hope in a lot of things in this world, you’ll be put to shame. If you put your hope in a sports team, they’re going to let you down. You put your hope sometimes in people, they let you down. You put your hope in this or that in this world, and you will often find yourselves put to shame.
But if you put your hope in God, you will never find yourself put to shame. God has poured out His love into your heart by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. It goes on in the next few verses talking about God’s love in Christ and dying on a cross for us. This is our hope, that sin will not have the last word, that suffering will not have the last word, that the effects of sin in a fallen world will not have the last word. Our hope is in the glory of God. He will have the last word.
Jesus has died on a cross because of His love for us. He has risen from the dead in victory over the grave and he has given you and me a hope that transcends the worst things that could happen to us in this world. One day these things will be over and we will be with God. Sin and suffering will be no more. He will wipe every tear from our eyes.
We may have a hard time putting the following words into one sentence: trials, problems, and God loves me because they don't seem to go together.
But let's take a look at God's end game. Is it to make us happy in the temporal, or is it to make us holy in the eternal? Is it to keep us always earthbound, or is it, in reality, to prepare us for heaven? The latter is the answer. So God can allow tragedy. No tragedy is good. But God can bring good despite a tragedy.
So even in our worst of times, if we can be people of character, then nothing can steal from us our most desired goal, the character of God, given us in Jesus Christ!!!
Father, thank you for this day and the mercy and grace to walk in it. Let Your abundant blessings flow over my friend and family today. Lord, please help us be strong in difficult times and consistent in holy character. Please give us a heart of courage and compassion. Lord, give us the strength to endure. Lord, when hard times come our way, help us to look to You for perseverance and joy. Make us mature and complete through these trials. Lord, use us to be the touch of Your love to those that need it today.
Father, we love You. Amen !
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