Daily Devotions - God of Hope

Romans 5:1-11 (NIV)
Peace and Hope
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 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. 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

What incident in your life can you look back upon and see the truth of verses 3-5?

 

You are the God of hope. When things are looking grim, I hang on to the Hope of Your Joy. When sickness overwhelms me, I rest in Your hope of healing. When relationships make me feel insufficient, You fill guide me with the hope of Your love. When the world is imploding with evil, I grasp onto Your hope of mercy and peace. Lord, help me to endure the uncomfortable, the painful, the challenging, and the scary things of this life, knowing that You are with me. Help me to persist in doing Your will by focusing on Your face and Your promises and not on the storm. Through the challenges, help me grow closer to You and stronger in my faith. Thank you for Your undeserved kindness on which I can stand strong. Thank You for giving me the Holy Spirit who fills my heart with Your love, so that I can continue to love others even in rough times. You, Lord, are the hope of my salvation. Amen