Verse of the Day 6/25

Verse of the Day 6/25

Romans 8:26-27

New King James Version

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I read today's passage in a devotional this morning and what first caught my attention were two words that appear in verse 25, hope and perseverence.  I have mentioned before how Jean had said in her Chrstmas letter that 2025 would be the year of perseverence which it certainly has been and will continue to be. She also signed her letters and cards with "Always with hope".  Her focus was on the future, not only here but towards heaven and her Savior.

The verses above deal with what I am experiencing in my loss, in my grief.  I have the same hope and call to persevere, I can't do it on my own but I have the Holy Spirit and many of you interceding for me taking my groanings and lifting them to the Father.  The prayers continue to give, to bring me hope.

Pastor James Smith writes of hope:

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. 

I need this hope, a lively hope to be able to persevere in faith, I have this hope because my Redeemer is faithful and true.

As I look back on the road I've traveled
I see so many times He carried me through
If there's one thing that I've learned in my life
My Redeemer is faithful and true

[Chorus]
My Redeemer is faithful and true
Everything He has said, He will do
And every morning, His mercies are new
My Redeemer is faithful and true

[Verse 2]
My heart rejoices when I read the promise
'There is a place that I'm preparing for you
I know someday I'll see my Lord face to face
'Cause my Redeemer is faithful and true.  (My Redeemer is Faithful and True - Steven Curtis Chapman)

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 8:18-28

New King James Version

From Suffering to Glory

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits 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 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [a]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession [b]for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.