Day 216 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: Psalm 73,74; Romans 5)
REJOICE IN SUFFERING?
Not only that, but 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. (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
Paul’s words remind us of this saying: “What doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger.” Paul gives us substantial background to this kind of optimism.
We can rejoice in our sufferings because...
● suffering produces endurance...
● endurance produces character...
● character produces hope...
● and hope does not put us to shame.
However, the ultimate reason fo rejoice in suffering is tied into God’s great love for us... because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
In short, we can rejoice in our sufferings and difficulties because of our sure hope in Jesus!
If thou but suffer God to guide thee,
And hope in Him through all thy ways,
He’ll give thee strength whate’er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God’s unchanging love
Builds on the rock that nought can move.
(“If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee,” Lutheran Service Book, 2006, #750, stanza 1)
Almighty God, thank You for the hope You have given me in Jesus, hope that does not disappoint me. When life’s difficulties confront me, remind me of Your unchanging love. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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