Hope Enables Us To Persevere
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. – Romans 5:2-4
I saw a placard once that said, “I was a hopeless dope fiend, now I am a dopeless hope fiend.” The person who had put that placard on their door had come to know Jesus as the Christ of redemption. He was hopeless in his addiction, but in Christ he found hope.
It was the same for all of us in this world and without Christ; we had no lasting hope. Then someone introduced us to Christ and hope was born in our hearts. That faith driven hope enabled us to surrender our life to the one who is himself life. This hope is what gives us an anchor in life’s storms (Hebrews 6:19).
This hope gives us eyes to see beyond the storm to the glory God has prepared for us. Our hope in Christ does not keep us from suffering but it does enable us to persevere in our suffering.
Another passage in Romans encourages us, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (15:4). It is the very nature of hope to give us the impetus to take the next step even in the face of great adversity.
I remember shortly after the Vietnam war many stories of heroic survival emerged as the prisoners of war were released. There were reports from believers who survived torture for years because of their faith. There was one story, and I can’t remember the details, not even the name of the people involved, but the POW’s developed a system of quoting scripture to each other by using a code they tapped out on the walls.
Hope drives us further than we could possibly go on our own. Hope calls to those who have fallen and says, “Get up, there will be another day.” Hope stands at the bedside of a dying loved one and says, “I’ll see you over there.” Hope gives us perseverance.
Prayer: Father, give the hopeless eyes to see what they can be in you. Amen.
Hope Enables Us To Persevere
Message: Hope gives us eyes to see beyond the storm to the glory God has prepared for us. Our hope in Christ does not keep us from suffering but it does enable us to persevere in our suffering.
Affirmation: I know that in this world I will have disappointments and times of suffering, but I also know that God's grace is sufficient to enable to persevere, even in suffering.
Reflection: Hope gives us the strength to endure. Give some thought to the tough times you have endured and remember the grace God gave you to persevere.
You can have the entire month of devotions on Perseverance. Go to the top of the column on the right and fill in the form with your name email address then press the "Yes, send it" button.
I saw a placard once that said, “I was a hopeless dope fiend, now I am a dopeless hope fiend.” The person who had put that placard on their door had come to know Jesus as the Christ of redemption. He was hopeless in his addiction, but in Christ he found hope.
It was the same for all of us in this world and without Christ; we had no lasting hope. Then someone introduced us to Christ and hope was born in our hearts. That faith driven hope enabled us to surrender our life to the one who is himself life. This hope is what gives us an anchor in life’s storms (Hebrews 6:19).
This hope gives us eyes to see beyond the storm to the glory God has prepared for us. Our hope in Christ does not keep us from suffering but it does enable us to persevere in our suffering.
Another passage in Romans encourages us, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (15:4). It is the very nature of hope to give us the impetus to take the next step even in the face of great adversity.
I remember shortly after the Vietnam war many stories of heroic survival emerged as the prisoners of war were released. There were reports from believers who survived torture for years because of their faith. There was one story, and I can’t remember the details, not even the name of the people involved, but the POW’s developed a system of quoting scripture to each other by using a code they tapped out on the walls.
Hope drives us further than we could possibly go on our own. Hope calls to those who have fallen and says, “Get up, there will be another day.” Hope stands at the bedside of a dying loved one and says, “I’ll see you over there.” Hope gives us perseverance.
Prayer: Father, give the hopeless eyes to see what they can be in you. Amen.
Hope Enables Us To Persevere
Message: Hope gives us eyes to see beyond the storm to the glory God has prepared for us. Our hope in Christ does not keep us from suffering but it does enable us to persevere in our suffering.
Affirmation: I know that in this world I will have disappointments and times of suffering, but I also know that God's grace is sufficient to enable to persevere, even in suffering.
Reflection: Hope gives us the strength to endure. Give some thought to the tough times you have endured and remember the grace God gave you to persevere.
You can have the entire month of devotions on Perseverance. Go to the top of the column on the right and fill in the form with your name email address then press the "Yes, send it" button.
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