Romans Chapter 5
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
~ Romans 5:3-5 ~
We are coming close to yet another year. Although the global Covid-19 pandemic seems to have moved to an endemic state, many challenges remain with new infection spikes, variants, diseases, disasters, ongoing wars, and inflationary and recession fears …
Although we are much more blessed and sheltered here in Singapore, we have all been affected in one way or another. Besides global or national issues, we also have our personal or family issues.
There seems to be no end to the troubles and tribulations that surround us.
But here, Paul tells us to glory in tribulations.
This seems a very strange thing to do. How do you glory in tribulations? What is there to celebrate?
The answer is that, if we face tribulations the right way, this very same tribulation will produce in us perseverance. And perseverance, character, and character, hope.
Perseverance to continue in our faith and trust in our God who is in control.
And in the midst of these troubles, our real character is revealed. How we react and how we behave shows our true character before God. And it may be time to re-adjust ourselves when we see how we respond to the troubles. The difficulties we face is helping us develop patience. And the struggle only makes us stronger and helps us develop true character.
And in this lies hope. This is not blind faith and hoping for the best.
But this is hope that comes from the love of God through the Holy Spirit that has been poured down on us.
God does not leave us alone to face trouble. He is there and will never leave us. The question is whether we will remember these words and persevere on – to develop patience, character and ultimately hope in the God who loves us.
Also, be encouraged that you’re not left alone to face trouble. God has told us that He would never leave us. So take courage, your trouble is just an opportunity to develop patience. God is good and He never leaves us alone.
My wife was watching a Youtube sermon by one of the Taiwanese preachers on prayers. And I sat down to also listen. In his sermon, he mentioned how many a time, when believers are faced with troubles, they stop praying because they say they simply do not know what to pray or what to say. But that is exactly the time when we need to continue to get down on our knees and pray.
He quoted from Romans 8:26-27:
26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit will intercede for us.
Many of the English translations used the word “groanings” which cannot be uttered. The Chinese versions use the word “叹息” – which directly translates as “sighs”.
When we do not know how to pray or what to say when deeply troubled, don’t we just sigh? Loud utterance of sighs….SIGH!
The preacher gave his own testimony of how he learned this lesson. It was just before he was to apply for the seminary and he was faced with a huge issue – so much so he wanted to give up his application. As he sat despondently on his bed, his wife beside him suggested praying.
He admitted he got angry then and there. “If you want to pray, go and pray yourself! I am tired and sick of people telling me to pray!” (paraphrase all mine).
With tears, the wife indeed got out of bed and started praying in tears at the corner of the room.
When he saw her praying, Hebrews 12:12 came to mind:
12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
So he got out of bed and started praying in tears beside his wife. He still did not know what to say but he said that it was a very long prayer that felt like a short time. But he knew that the Holy Spirit was praying for him. Interceding when he did not know what to say.
And that gave him the strength to submit his application and continues to be a preacher today.
Indeed, that tribulation produced in him perseverance, character and hope.
May we all grow in the year ahead in His grace and love.
You May Also Like
