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Scripture~Romans 5.3-5 (NLT)
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 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.
Comments
Disappointment is an experience we each have at times. Our expectations are not met by events, other persons, or ourselves. For many persons disappointment with themselves is a heavy burden they live with daily.
Disappointment can lead to minor frustration or major depression. Such disappointment leads some persons to make major life changes to better themselves. Disappointment, sadly, leads some persons to end their lives in hopelessness.
Paul refers to "problems and trials." From these, he says, we develop "endurance." This leads to "strength of character." From this character grows "confidant hope of salvation."
What is this hope of salvation? Is it not assurance that we are living in God's love and will be preserved in this love by no one other than God? Can we not confidently live, knowing no disappointment can diminish the hope given us through the faithful, divine kindness of our common Creator?
So, Paul writes, "this hope will not lead to disappointment." And the evidence of this is with us now; that is, God "has given us," writes Paul, "the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Many of us are familiar with the great hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness." Thomas Chisholm wrote it in 1923, later saying that no special event prompted the poem. He was inspired by Scripture truth and life experience. I encourage you through the words of this great testimony of faith in God's faithfulness, in which is grounded our hope:
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Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Refrain
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
Where is the most sure testimony of the hope we have in Christ, that God is faithful and will preserve us whole in all eternity. Paul says that "we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."
Concluding Blessing and Prayer
Thank you for letting me share with you today. And my prayer for us each is that we will enjoy the sure testimony of our Christian hope and God's faithfulness through the indwelling within of the most Divine and Sublime Love:
Holy Spirit, fill us with the faith to be assured that within time, we are anchored in eternity, amidst our disappointments cheer us with faith, and through this fleeting life assure us of your eternal life. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
See next page for details on OneLife Ministries, Brian's book An Ache for Union, and material pertaining to sources used in the writing.
Feel free to submit a query. Thanks! Brian K. Wilcox
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