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Joyful in Christ

Andrea Lende • August 22, 2022

Romans 5:2-3

Joyful in Christ

 

You can listen to the devotion and prayer at: https://anchor.fm/andrea-lende/episodes/Joyful-in-Christ-e1mr5nr

 

Romans 5:2-3

 

“Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God’s favor) in which we [firmly and safely] stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God.”

 

“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.”

 

 

Paul writes about grace.

 

Grace meaning God’s favor.

 

We rejoice in the hope of enjoying God’s glory in heaven.

 

We have His grace through our faith in Jesus already.

 

Today we rejoice in our ability to experience God’s presence as we meditate on Him.

 

Paul also tells us to be joyful as experience trials, troubles, and sufferings.

 

If you are like me, trials, troubles, and sufferings don’t sound like something we should be very joyful about.

 

However, as we work through our difficulties, we learn things.

 

Paul writes that hardships produce patience and endurance.

 

Both patience and endurance are positive qualities that most of us desire.

 

So, if we value patience over impatience and endurance over the lack off it, then we can find joy in the midst of our difficulties.

 

Verse 4 says, “endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.”

 

We can be joyful and hopeful in the promise of eternal salvation as we walk through hardships as well as the victories.

 

So, let us be joyful today in Jesus’ gift of salvation with the hope of experiencing God’s glory both now and into the ages.

 

Today I choose joy as I meditate on the gift of eternity with Jesus and God, the Father, and withstand temporary suffering and affliction here on earth.

 

May you find joy in Jesus’ gift of salvation and the hope of living in God’s glory even if it means navigating temporary difficulties.

 

Daily Prayer:

 

O Lord, thank You for Your Word that teaches us more about You and Your ways. Thank You for reminding us to be joyful as we are offered grace through Jesus, Your Son. May we rejoice in the promise of eternity and the hope of experiencing Your glory. Help us be joyful as we face trouble and suffer, Father, knowing You are with us. May we appreciate our struggles which help increase our patience, endurance, and develop our character. Strengthen us as we walk through the difficulties of this life, Lord. Keep our eyes on You. Keep our focus on You, so we do not falter. Help us bless someone this day. Thank You for hearing our prayer.

 

Answer: I AM with you and will purify your spirit as you walk with Me.

Response: Help us walk with You, Lord, and not be deceived by the world. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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