“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12). This verse is short, but it is saying a lot. Striving to live out this scripture is a powerful way to draw others to Christ.
Be joyful in hope ~ Joy is the feeling of great pleasure. Hope is the expectation or desire for a certain thing to happen. Most of us wake up every day hoping for a better today than yesterday. We’re working toward (hoping for) a better future for our families. Are we joyful in hope?
Patient in affliction ~ Patience is the ability to wait or tolerate difficulty without complaint. Affliction is pain or distress. I like to think I am a patient person. But, honestly, when I am in pain I am anything but gracious because I just want to be left alone. What about you? Are you patient in affliction?
Faithful in prayer ~ Faithfulness is being loyal and true to one’s word. Prayer is communication between God and the believer. We all have things that we are committed to doing every day. We must have that cup of coffee (or tea) in the morning. We must watch that show every evening. We are faithful in those things each day. Are we faithful in prayer?
God loves us and He’s patient with us. He knows there are so many things fighting for our attention every day. But if we’d just make the decision to give Him some time each day…a few minutes reading His word in the morning before getting out of bed, talking to Him on the drive to work, writing in a prayer journal at night…He is waiting to meet us there. How do I know? These are some of the ways I spend time with God…and knowing He’s with me gives me joy in hope, patience in affliction, and faithfulness in prayer. Yes, of course, I still get down. But I cling to Psalms 116:1-2 for the strength to get me through. I pray it is a blessing to you as well, “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.”
Heavenly Father,
You are good. Thank You for loving us and being patient with us. Thank You for meeting us in prayer. Please give us minds and hearts to put our hope in You and to keep You first. We love You. We trust You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
I Will Cling 