Hope That Will Never Disappoint
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Romans 5:1 (NLT)
Today we will be using Romans 5:3-5 to proclaim and pray into. But let’s first look at Romans 5:1-2.
Romans 5:1 begins with the wonderful affirmation that we’ve been made right in God’s sight because of our faith in Him. Our faith in Jesus Christ is what gives us peace with God. Verse two says that, through our faith, we have access to the grace that brought forgiveness for our sins when Jesus died on the cross. Our faith has also given us confidence and hope of joyfully sharing in God’s glory in the future. Paul then moves from rejoicing in the future to rejoicing in this present moment, rejoicing in the midst of our problems and trials.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. Romans 5:3 (NLT)
We rejoice not in the trials, but in the miraculous transforming work God is doing in our hearts and minds through our trials. This transformation isn't instantaneous, but a journey God wants to take us on. A journey where we develop endurance, the “stay-with-it-ness” that helps us to fix our eyes on Jesus and run His race with perseverance. To not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Pray: Help me, Lord, to rejoice despite the trials and hardships I am facing. Help me to develop endurance as I go on this journey with You.
And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. Romans 5:4 (NLT)
As we continue on this journey, our endurance will strengthen our character. Our character will be sharpened so that we are changed more and more into the glorious image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). As our character is strengthened, we develop a confident hope.
Pray: Thank You Lord, for helping me endure this trial. Strengthen my character so that I may have a confident hope in Your saving power.
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 (NLT)
This confident hope we have developed will certainly not disappoint because of God’s deep love for us. God’s deep love and faithfulness give us the confidence that He will never let us down. It gives us confidence that nothing can ever separate us from the love that He has poured into our hearts through His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:35-38).
Pray: Thank You, Lord, that my confident hope in You will not lead to disappointment because You love me dearly. Thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit to fill my heart with Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NLT)
