Today’s scripture: Romans 5:1-5 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Sue Robinson):
I was so blessed to have a wonderful earthly father. My Dad was a man of integrity, honesty, and character. Everyone who dealt with him knew him to be fair and of good intentions. At his funeral, many came up to tell us of one thing or another that he had done as a kindness to them. If he promised something to us, you had better believe he would make it so. We had the assurance that he would never disappoint us if at all possible.
Paul is telling the Romans that God is like that. We have God’s assurance that God is always looking out for us. But what about during tribulations? Paul said to glory in tribulations. Am I really supposed to do that and why?
To glory or be calm in bad times will prove time and again that God is near. Each time we hold onto hope that God is in control, God proves to be faithful. It may not be the answer that we would have envisioned, but it is the best for us. So, after many, many times of just ‘hoping’ that God is near and God is watching, that hope turns to a conviction of God’s love, caring, and a trust in God. That unshakable faith is the foundation for a life of walking with the Lord.
Prayer for the day. Thank you, Lord, for this gift of hope given to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.