Passage Read: Romans 4-5
Meditation Verses: 5:1-5
Thought
This is what acceptance of the Gospel should bring to me and all believers: Peace and absolute security before God because I have been chosen and sought out and forgiven and changed; how then could I ever fear for my standing before Him? And a delight in and celebration of and expectation and longing for God's exaltation, so that I gladly and freely and joyfully promote and proclaim His name. But strangely, believing the Gospel should also bring a delight in and celebration of my sufferings and trials and troubles, because confidence in God and the Gospel work in me perseverance, knowing that I serve the One True almighty God, whose will cannot be thwarted and who will work all things together for good to me because I love Him. And that perseverance will build in me tested and proven godly character, and proven character will beget hope in me, more than at the beginning, deeper because of the trials and the evidence of God's Spirit and love multiplied to me.
Application
In the blurred day-to-day of uncertainty and directionlessness, these truths don't seem very close or very real to me. I'm watching and waiting and looking for news of the next thing, for direction to become clear. But this too is where perseverance is needed and developed. I need this reminder that all is not lost, that I have not been forgotten or abandoned. "He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also along with Him graciously give us all things?" There is waiting, there is silence, but that doesn't mean He's done with me. It means He has this lesson of patience for me, of waiting. But neither does that mean I have to sit and wait in silence. I can and should go stir things up. I can exult in the hope of the glory of God. I can proclaim and celebrate His eventual return to reclaim His world and claim the worship of all mankind.