The Endurance of Hope

The Endurance of Hope

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:5 (New Living Translation)

     God is calling us closer to Himself. He’s calling His sons and daughters to stand up and live this life of faith and advance the Kingdom. It’s through great hardships that we enter in the Kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). We endure persecution, affliction, reproach, tribulation, pressure, and discomfort. As we suffer, we persevere. As we persevere, we become more like Christ. And in developing godly character, we have hope (Romans 5:3-4). We know God won’t leave us in our “grave” experiences (Psalm 16:10). Like Christ, we endure our cross to receive our crown. We don’t focus on the suffering, we focus on the reward. We fix our eyes on Jesus, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame”(Hebrews 12:3). Jesus was able to endure the crucifixion because He knew there would be a resurrection!

     It’s the love of God in our hearts that constrains us. Knowing the abounding love of God gives us joy. Not only on the sunny days, but when the clouds are so thick and heavy we question if the suns still exists. Somehow His love consoles us in our darkest days and still gives us hope in the glory of God yet to be revealed. The Scripture tells us that with His love He has given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace (2 Thessalonians 2:16). Now I’ve experienced some false hopes and have been disappointed. But we have been born again to a “good hope” and a “living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). Just as sure as our Lord Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, our hope in God will not lead to disappointment. Christ in us is the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).

     God gets no glory in poverty, sickness, depression, bondage, or confusion. Why would He ask us to endure what He already suffered for? He’s glorified when we are saved, delivered, healed, restored, liberated, and walk in wisdom. It’s the manifestation of His Word through faith that brings glory to God. You may be going through a difficult time. No one seeks out adversity. However, when it comes, you can find hope by seeing your circumstances as opportunities for God’s glory to be displayed. We will be opposed. But the same God who called us will also sustain us.