Verse of the Day 1/13
Romans 15:4-5 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled.
5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. New Living Translation (NLT)
Who could have imagined a year ago where we would find ourselves today. Our lives and the lives of virtually everyone on the earth have been changed in some way, shape or form by the pandemic. In our lifetime, perhaps moreso than ever before, many of us have had to rely on others to get through. Even if we don't agree with that, we have had others who have encouraged, comforted and challenged us to carry on, to persevere to see it through. As Christians, most of us have turned to God's Word for guidance, direction and for hope.
Today's verses written "long ago" are as fitting for today as they were the day when they were written. We don't know what this next year holds but we should have hope. Yes, there is a vaccine being delivered, but that is not what I'm talking about. We put our hopes, our faith in God, in those "everlasting arms", that will carry us through no matter what. Verse 5 above, comes across as a prayer for us, "may God" give us the patience and encouragement, the endurance to help us, not just for ourselves but to live in harmony. Do ever need that in our world today.
There are many verses about hope in the Bible, but this is one of my favorites. John Piper writes, "Hope is not some vague emotion that comes out of nowhere, like a stomachache. Hope is the confidence that the stupendous future promised to us by the word of the Spirit is going to really come true. Therefore, the way to be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with his word. The way to have the power of the Spirit is to believe the promises of his word....For it is the word of promise that fills us with hope, and hope fills us with joy, and joy overflows in the power and freedom to love our neighbor. And that is the fullness of the Holy Spirit"
Hebrews 6:19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, New King James Version (NKJV)
May you have this hope as an anchor where Jesus intercedes for us "behind the veil" to the Father.
-- In Christ, Mike Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
Romans 15:1-6 New King James Version (NKJV)
Bearing Others' Burdens
15 We then who are strong ought to bear with the [a]scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to [b]edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me." 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the [c]patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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