"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh no ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
- Romans 5:3-5
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Reflection:
True hope requires a firm, substantive foundation. Hebrews 11:1 has been mentioned throughout the letters of this servant to you: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Without our belief in God, His character and our relationship with Him as our foundation, perhaps we were hoping in Santa Claus or some app. Both false and temporal.
During one hard time in my life as a Christian, I came to a thought that belief itself was detached from our physical and financial trials. Then one Christian writer said in his book, "Maybe belief is not abstract". Maybe belief is not detaching itself from our flesh. Maybe it's the only foundation we have when everything around us is crumbling down.
The Apostle Paul mentioned this when he wrote his letter to the Romans. "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Romans 5:3-5 KJV).
Tribulation is suffering. Patience is perseverance. Experience is character. Hope is hope. Throughout the translations of the Bible, no matter what version it is, hope is hope. Hope does not put us to shame because God promised to pour out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given the moment we surrendered our lives to Him and accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
Paul's progression from suffering to intimacy with God is explained by Pastor Craig Groeschel:
"When we're suffering through hard times, we take God at his Word and believe that he's still in control, with a specific purpose in mind. So we keep going, relying on him. As we keep going, hour to hour, day to day, week to week, we become stronger. Our faith grows, our maturity grows, our trust in God grows. As we get stronger, we believe in God's goodness, more than our circumstances. We learn to believe in God's promises."
When I read this statement, I immediately remember someone telling me that our belief in God can be our firm foundation.
Many of us can testify how we came to believe in God. Some of us threw our Bible across the room and others shake our fists at God. Others questioned Him just like many in the Bible did. It was a hard time but deep down our hearts we really wanted to believe. And then in the midst of our struggles and efforts to believe Him, God met all of us halfway and honor the sincerity of our pursuit.
God comes alongside you, each and every step, if you desire him more than just circumstances. He will meet with you if you really, deep inside your heart, wanted to experience God's closeness and care for you as you go through trials.
Never lose that desire. Keep burning. Keep hoping. Keep believing in God and hope in Him.
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Prayer:
Dear God, help me keep my desire in trusting You, believing in You and keep on hoping in You. Help my desire to know You and be intimate with You keep burning in my heart. In Jesus Christ's Name, Amen.
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