Rejoice

 Romans 12:12 ESV

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.


Biblical hope isn't about crossing our fingers and hoping for the best. It is based upon the resurrection of the Lord Jesus in history. 'Because he lives, we can face tomorrow'.

If we have hope in God, we shouldn't be gritting our teeth. We're to rejoice and be glad. He is good, and greatly to be praised.

We're to be patient in tribulation. We're not to rail against the Providence of God. Instead we're to endure whatever life throws at us knowing that a glorious future awaits.

God doesn't just want us to ask once for things and then to give up. He wants us to persist in prayer. Jesus told the story of the importunate widow who refused to take no for an answer; neither should we.

'Dear Abba, Father God, we're grateful for the hope we have in you. Please help us to patiently endure and to persevere in prayer, for your glory we pray, amen'.

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