Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Promises – Day 299 – Romans 5:1-5 – We Have Peace With God – Growing As Disciples
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
Rely
That is a key word. That is a word for you to deeply consider. What word are we talking about? What word do I need to deeply consider? The word we are talking about is “rely”. I am your Savior and Lord. You have placed all your faith and hope and trust in me. You have turned away from your old sinful life in the world. You are now living the new life I have given to you. You are seeking to live a life that is good and right and pleasing to me. You want to go where I send you. You want to do what I ask of you. Am I correct? Have I said anything about you that is not true? No, you are correct. I want to live my life just as you have described. That’s good. So, what do you want me to do with that word, “rely”? Let me ask you a few questions? I’m listening attentively. I won’t miss a word. Who do you rely on when you go through suffering? Do you rely on me or do you rely on yourself? What is your attitude when you go through suffering? Do you whine and moan with a “poor me” attitude or do you consider suffering an opportunity to draw even closer and rely more fully on me? Is suffering something horrible to be avoided at all costs or is it an opportunity for me to develop perseverance and character and hope in you? Has suffering deepened your prayer life and made our relationship more intimate or has it caused your life to become frenzied and filled with your efforts to solve your own problems and meet your own needs? I see where our conversation has gone. I am getting your point. What is my point? You want me to rely fully on you. You want suffering to do its good work in me. You want me to draw near to you and ask for your help as I go through difficulties in life. You want me to stop relying on myself and start relying fully on you. Yes, I do. Will you rely fully on me? Yes Lord, I will. That will be very good.
Lord, thank you for all you have done for me. You are my Savior and Lord. I will allow you to fill my life with peace and joy even as I go through suffering in this life. Develop perseverance, character, and hope in me, as I rely fully on you in the difficulties of life. Amen
Key Question… When has going through suffering helped you to know the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit?
Living It Out… Live a joyful life, filled with peace and hope, as you rely on Jesus Christ, even as you go through suffering.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that relying on God, as you go through suffering, will develop perseverance, character, and hope in you.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how you are always placing your faith and hope in Jesus Christ.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you have hope and peace and joy in the Lord as you rely on Him through all the difficulties of life.
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