Verse of the Day 8/19

Verse of the Day 8/19

Romans 8:24-25

English Standard Version

24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

We're continuing in our journey through Romans and today we come to 2 powerful verses dealing with hope.  The faith of a Christian is not "wishy-washy", it is not wishful thinking, it is bedrock to our faith.  Ours is the hope of eternal salvation, built on nothing less than Jesus love and righteousness (quoting an old hymn).

I'm sure that other verses and passages come to mind, but I feel that it is very significant that we find these verses tucked into this portion of Romans 8 which addresses our groans, our yearnings and goes on to give us some of the greatest promises and affirmations in the Bible.  Read the rest of the chapter.

Any time I read about hope in the Bible I think of my son Jeff, permanently disabled (at least here on earth) from an accident when he was 16, he has coined the phrase "hope is my favorite thing to have". His hope is that of which I speak.

I don't often copy long quotes in this space, but today I'll make an exception with some words on hope from James Smith a 19th century pastor in England.  He writes:

To be saved by hope, is to be kept, preserved, upheld, or sustained, in the midst of foes, dangers, and trials.

Hope quickens us in duties, and preserves us from becoming cold and dead.

It comforts us in tribulations, and keeps us from being disheartened and gloomy.

It enables us to overcome temptation, and so to hold on our way, looking unto Jesus.

It gives us peace in death, in the sure prospect of victory over the grave.

Thus hope saves us:

by preventing despair, into which we can never fall while hope lives within us;

by preserving us from desperation, to the verge of which we are sometimes brought;

by guarding us against rebellion, the seeds of which are still thickly sown in our corrupt hearts; and

by protecting us against apostasy, into which we can never fall so long as we hope in God.

From many evils, at many times, in many ways, we are saved by hope!

Hope is in God, as its highest object and best end.

Hope is through Christ, who is the way to the Father, the truth, and the life.

Hope is on the ground of the Word, which warrants, excites, and regulates it.

Hope is for all that God has promised, whether temporal or spiritual, in this world or the next.

Hope should be encouraged, as it brings . . .

glory to God,

comfort to our souls,

credit to our religion, and

honor to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Holy Spirit, fill us with a lively hope, and teach us to expect:

all that God has promised,

all that Christ has procured, and

all that You have revealed in Your most holy Word. 

This is the hope that Jeff has, I pray that you have this hope today.

Blessings,

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 8:18-25

English Standard Version

Future Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.