Family Tree 11.30.20

Family Tree Devotional Series - Week 1 – Hope - Monday – Pastor Chris
Hope, Faith, and Love

Romans 5:1-5 (NASB)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Hope is a vital part of life. Hope drives and motivates us. It gives us the power to endure hard times and to excel in good times. Without hope, we die. In our passage today, the good news is that we can have hope even in the tribulation of life’s hardships through faith. Tribulation means a state of great suffering and trouble. It is hard to imagine having hope in a time of great suffering and trouble, but it is entirely possible.

However, if you notice the first line of that passage, it is the word peace that resonates, particularly God's peace, through faith in Jesus Christ. A beautiful expression reads, “No Jesus, no peace, Know Jesus, know peace.” We could easily interchange the word peace with the words hope and love. In knowing the peace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we can “exult in the hope of the glory of God” and “exult in our tribulations.” Exult means to “show or feel elation or jubilation.” Elation and jubilation can exist even in times of tribulation. Those emotions can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ because we gain access to the Glory of God in that relationship.

Faith in Jesus brings peace, grace, hope, perseverance, and character. Tribulation is often the catalyst for our development into a deeper relationship with God. However, what I love most about this passage is the reminder at the end of the passage that God’s love “has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Because of that outpouring, we can love God and love like God, even in times of tribulation.

Let me leave you with a quote from Brother Lawrence, a 17th Century Carmelite monk that captures our scripture and devotion today:

“Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues.”