Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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.
the word “hope” has become my favorite word recently. we’re able to place our hope in the all powerful God, the God who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). how amazing is that? what’s even more crazy is how we can still rejoice in our sufferings. i honestly don’t even know how to describe this feeling in the midst of suffering, but i guess this is what Paul talks about in Philippians 4:11-13, where he is content with whatever circumstance that he is in. only God can provide such peace and strength!
anyways, the part that really encourages me is in v. 5 of Romans 5. 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. at times within our sufferings, we can feel as though there is no hope, as though God has not done anything yet to hear our prayers and to answer our cries. i guess this is just a reminder to myself (and to my fellow brothers and sisters whom i love) that God will absolutely not fail. if our hope is properly placed in Him, even in suffering, God WILL NOT put us to shame. He has already accomplished it all through His Son, who suffered, endured, had perfect character, and had 100% hope in God. and He promised/promises that He will be with us always (Matthew 28:20). He loves us enough to never leave us, to have given us the indwelling of the Spirit to continually minister to us and to sanctify us.
Hebrews 12:11 says For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. yeah, honestly discipline isn’t very pleasant but once again, He gives us another promise, that He is training us/growing us through it, and that He will give us peace. i thank God for even placing it in our hearts to have hope in Him. through the Word we know that we don’t have to despair because of the many many promises that He gives and that He always upholds.
in suffering, we are not alone either. society tells us about the individualistic mindset, but the bible reminds us that we are but just a member of the entire body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:26). if one member suffers all suffer together, and if one is honored, than all rejoice. i thank God that he’s placed us in a body where we can all support one another through prayer, words of encouragement, rebuke, acts of kindness, etc.
i know it sounds weird, but it is because He loves us that suffering happens. and it is because He loves us that He carries us through it. it is because He loves us that He makes us grow through it. ultimately in the end, God is glorified through our suffering (1 Peter 1:7). we have so much to look forward to. we can look forward to receiving comfort (Matthew 5:4), we can look forward to growth (Zechariah 13:9), we can look forward to joy (John 16:20), and best of all, we can look forward to the return of Christ in his full glory (all of Revelations). with all that we look forward to, how can we not have hope, knowing that God keeps His word. there’s a quote somewhere saying “God speaking is God acting”. so praise God! and i pray that in the end, our utmost desire would be to worship God and bring Him glory.
