This post is Day 28 in a series of studies about “Hope”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

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Hope – Day 28

This is a good verse to remember when we are feeling down or disappointed, when what we had hoped for has not manifested. But the word of God has the answer for every emotion that could take us down the road to self pity. This is one of those verses!

Romans 5:5

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.

The Thought

This is a good verse to remember when we are feeling down or disappointed, when what we had hoped for has not manifested. There are times in all our lives when we feel like that. But God’s word has the answer for every emotion that could take us off down the road to self pity. This is one of those verses! But it’s good to read the preceding verses:

Let us boast in the glory of God. Not only so, but let us also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope Romans 5:2-4.

“Glorying in our sufferings” is not a natural reaction for most people, even those who say they trust The Lord for everything. Most of us have a tendency to react to difficulties out of our flesh, and say “Oh No Lord!”, or “Not again Lord!” or simply “Why?” We can agree with Paul’s arguments that sufferings produce strong character traits, but none of us like to go down that road. I can pinpoint several times in my life when I have said “Why Lord?” or “Not again Lord” or “Does it have to be this way?” But looking back on my life from the standpoint of 70 years following Jesus, I can honestly say that it is through the sufferings that I have learned the most!

Action

Read Romans 5:1-5 slowly today, and think seriously about each phrase. Ask yourself and the Lord, if you need to work on some of the sentiments there. What is your reaction to suffering? How perseverant are you? Look back on your life and ask yourself about some of the character building experiences you have been through. Were they worthwhile? Did you recognise that God was doing something new in your life?

What is your hope for this year, for yourself? Your family? Your church group?

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