Rejoicing in hope

Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, The mercies of God give us incredible hope. Remember that all of Paul’s admonitions here in Chapter 12 are based on the mercies of God that we have received. He urged them by the mercies of God to present their bodies to God as a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice. Paul blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort in 2 Cor. 1:3. Connect the dots between mercies, hope, and rejoicing as we consider 1 Pet. 1:3-6. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice…” According to His great mercies…born again to a living hope…in this you greatly rejoice. As we experience the Holy Spirit at work, motivating us by faith to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, we have every reason to rejoice in hope as Paul has encouraged the Romans. That’s one of many reasons to reconsider what purpose you live for. Have you submitted yourself to Jesus’ purpose for living—to reveal the love of God for His people for the glory of the Father of mercies on the last day? Or are you still living to fulfill your own purposes, agendas, and desires? We were saved to live to love with Jesus for the glory of God. His life dwells in us by the mercies of God through the Holy Spirit so that we may live each day rejoicing in hope as we persevere through the tribulations of life. Let’s remember what Paul wrote in chapter 5. Having been justified through faith in Jesus, which is according to the great mercies of God, we not only rejoice in the grace in which we stand, but we also “exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Paul also encourages us to not only be devoted to love, but be devoted to prayer. I’m not going to comment any more on the connection of love, rejoicing, and prayer until tomorrow. For today, if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll receive Paul’s and my encouragement to renew your minds and devote yourselves to living to love with Jesus so that rejoicing in hope of the glory of God becomes a constant in your daily experience. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com