Friday December 18th, 2020
Memorize: Romans 12:12 Good News Translations (GNT)
« Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times. »
Read: Matthew 5:10-12 Easy-to-Read Versions (ERV)
10 Great blessings belong to those who suffer persecution for doing what is right. God’s kingdom belongs to them.
11“People will insult you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things about you because you follow Me. But when they do that, know that great blessings belong to you.
12 Be happy about it. Be very glad because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did these same bad things to the prophets who lived before you.
Message:
Abraham, despite being childless at ninety, kept his hope to be a father of many nations (Romans 4:18).
However, many Christians today have lost hope in God’s promises, waiting for their physical manifestation before they believe.
If you are in the category of Christians described above, ask God today for grace to remain hopeful in His promises for your life.
Abraham for example enjoyed this grace (Romans 4:16) even before Jesus was born and our savior confirmed this when He said in John 8:56 KJV:
« Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad »
The grace was so sufficient that he hoped against all odds and developed faith that earned him friendship with the Almighty God.
Hope is a key element in describing faith (Hebrews 11:1) without which no man can please God (Hebrews 11:6).
Hope ensures that we obey His command to always rejoice (1 Thessalonians 5:16) even in the midst of tribulations.
Hope is the assurance that what we desire will come to pass (Romans 8:24).
Today’s memory verse also lets us know that through hope, we can develop patience and strength especially in tribulation. It is saddening however, that some Christians lose hope and backslides in the face of trials. This ought not to be.
In today’s Bible reading, Jesus talks about rejoicing as a means of endurance, as well as the blessings attached to enduring persecution. James 1:12 NLT also says:
« God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. »
Hope also helps one to tarry for results in the place of prayer.
Someone who lacks hope won’t pray long before searching for an alternative.
Abraham had faith in God and it was imputed to him for righteousness (Romans 4:17-22).
Beloved, are you losing hope already?
Please do not, because there is glory ahead of you.
Be patient so you can obtain it (Colossians 1:27).
Action point: Take time to give God intense worship even when it seems difficult to do so. Hope shall rise for your comfort.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Text edited by Naomie
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