Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Romans 8:24-26

By

Romans 8:24-26      "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  (25)  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.  (26)  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

In this life on earth, there will always be things that happen to cause turmoil. In this 8th chapter of Romans, Paul speaks to us of suffering. It never is our favorite part of life, but it is very real. Jesus had His disciples gathered with him on the night He was betrayed. He told them, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) His point was twofold: One, we will have troubles and trials in life and second, we can overcome them through the power that only comes through Jesus Christ. In the Bible, the word hope means a "to anticipate, or have an expectation, with a calm assurance." This anticipation comes while waiting for the Lord to give His answer or His guidance through the storms in our lives.

What are we to do while waiting? He gives us both the answer and the ability in verse 26. "The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." Yes, we are to spend time in prayer, seeking the Lord's help. The strength that is found while waiting comes through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I guess we can say that we are now officially in the season of anticipating Christmas. One of the blessed gifts that comes to us through our Lord is the blessing of having hope. Jesus tells us, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." Paul takes this great truth to the application in our lives by reminding us, "We are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37) Yes, we have hope in all our times of anxiety, but the greatest hope (assurance) that we have is found through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He shed His blood for us that our sins would be paid for and give us the assurance of eternal life in Him. All this week, I hope to write on this great subject. But for today, I just want to think about the love and benefits that have been given to me because of this blessed assurance in Christ Jesus.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Colossians 1:25-26

By
Colossians 1:25-26    “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;  Even   the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:” In verse twenty-four, Paul has expressed his joy in bearing hardship for the church. It is of this church, the body of Jesus Christ, that he is made a minister. Since Paul used the phrase “made a minister” in verse twenty-three of this same chapter, it seems there is something important that he wishes to convey. The Greek word translated as “made” means “to cause to be.” It was the will of God (Col 1:1) that caused Paul to become a minister. God is always the cause of true ministry. Although our fathers may be ministers, if we become true ministers of the gospel it is  not  because our fathers are ministers. True ministers of the gospel do not take that path because they seek honor for themselves, or b...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Enter With Thanksgiving - Psalm 100:1-5

By
One of the most beautiful Psalms of Thanksgiving is the 100th Psalm. Please turn to it and read verses one through five. With all my heart I believe we are a people and a nation that has truly been blessed by God. Of all those who “give thanks to Him and praise His name” we should be at the top!  It is not uncommon to compile wish lists at Christmas, and draw up a list of resolutions for the new year. But there is another list we often overlook - a Thanksgiving Day list of all for which we are thankful. What would your list contain? Most likely, a good part would be material possessions. I’m convinced that we would find that we have much more for which to be thankful than just our material possessions.  Like you, I’m sure my list would include the major things - life, health, family, friends, and the nation we live in, despite all its flaws. But even more than that, I’m thankful for my salvation, my Church family, and the mercy that God showers upon us each d...
Read more

Daily Devotion: The Peace Of Christ - John 14:27

By
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. – John 14:27 As I sit and enjoy the Lord's creation and I feel the cool breeze blow across my skin, I am reminded of the peace that we find when we stop to appreciate the works of God. While we cannot necessarily count on another tomorrow in this world, all of God’s children have the assurance of something purer, something brighter, in the world to come. This brings peace when everything seems chaotic and difficult here and now. Jesus Christ was and remains a complex Person. Not only do we have to wrestle with His dual nature, we must face the depth of His teachings. Many of the Lord’s teachings are easy to grasp even if they are hard to apply. (Have you tried loving your enemies lately?) However, some of the Messiah’s sayings make us think very hard indeed. Isaiah 9:6 famously reveals that the virgin born Son of God would be the Prin...
Read more