Romans 5:1-5 (NRSV)
Read Romans 5:1-5 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 5Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Verse 2through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. Verse 3And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, Verse 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, Verse 5and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Devotion
Ponder the words in this paragraph! No matter what our present human condition, our spirits are meant to soar as we read these words: "justified by faith;" "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;" "access to this grace;" "rejoice in our hope;" "sharing the glory of God!" It is these realities that make possible joy in the midst of suffering, along with endurance, character and hope.
Life often seems a matter of enduring. You can even grimly laugh at life's hard knocks. Hope does not disappoint. Let these phrases, one by one, settle in your mind and heart. Think on them! Claim them! They speak to you of Almighty God who, through the Holy Spirit, has brought you to justifying faith and a share in the glory of God. If we had only this paragraph to live on ... it would be enough!
Prayer
Grant us eyes and ears of faith, Lord Jesus. Plant your promises in our hearts and minds. Give us strength and joy, we pray, in good days and bad. We pray in the name of Jesus. Amen