By Robin Sam
Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer. Romans 12:12
Rejoicing in hope seems to be an easy thing to do, but Christians are not asked to rejoice in their secured blessings, but in the assured promises (hope). Job 5:16 says ‘the poor have hope.’ And what is the end result of such a hope? Psalms 9:18 says ‘For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever.’
Being patient in troubles may not at all be an easy thing to do, but when we remember how Christ remained obedient to His Father to the point of His death on the cross, we have a model on which we can shape our faith. 2 Timothy 2:24 asks ‘the Lord’s servant to patiently endure evil.’ The church in Ephesus was commended for its ‘patient endurance’ in Revelation 2:2. The church in Philadelphia was given a special promise in Revelation 3:10. The Lord assured the church that He will keep it from the hour of trial because it kept His word about ‘patient endurance’.
However, rejoicing in hope and remaining patient in troubles can happen only when we remain in prayer. In prayer, we cannot afford to be casual. It is the effectual fervent prayer that the Lord requires from a righteous man (James 5:16). When God requires such intense and passionate prayer from the righteous, He will not require anything less from us. Only that kind of prayer will move the heavens and yield much.
So, pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Shalom. Amen! God bless you today with His Word!
