aBible.com > Devotionals > 2020 > 12-04

Romans 5:3-5 - Hope Never Disappoints.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when 
we run into problems and trials, for we know 
that they help us develop endurance. 4 And 
endurance develops strength of character, and 
character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 
5 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. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

   I read an article about a couple in 
Louisiana who were cleaning up their home and came 
across an unclaimed lottery ticket worth $1.8 
million dollars. They bought it and had forgotten 
about it. It was still valid, so they went and 
claimed their winnings. 
   Thats like us sometimes. Many of us 
live as though were spiritually impoverished. 
We say, I need more love, more faith, and 
more peace. 
   Yet God is saying, Ive given these 
things to you already. 
   Romans 5:5 tells us, For we know how 
dearly God loves us, because he has given us the 
Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love 
(NLT). 
   In fact, the first 11 verses of Romans 5 
show us some of the amazing things that God has 
done for us. 
   We have peace with Him (verse 1). We have 
free and open access into the presence of God, 
and we have the hope of glory (verse 2). In 
addition, we have Gods love toward us, and we 
wont face judgment (verses 5"10). Finally, we 
have joy in the Lord (verse 11). 
   So God already has given us what we need. 
But I think at times were praying for what we 
already have. 
   Lets say, for example, that youre 
having troubles in your marriage. The romance is 
gone, and youre beginning to wonder if the 
marriage will even last. Youre saying, I just 
don't feel the love. 
   Why dont you start doing loving things 
instead of waiting to feel the love? 
   Or maybe youre thinking, Well, 
someone has hurt me. I cant forgive them. I just 
dont feel it. 
   Do it anyway. The emotions will catch up.
   Instead of praying to feel forgiveness, 
instead of praying for more love, just start doing 
loving things. In time, I think your emotions will 
match your actions. [Greg Laurie from Harvest 
Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]  

COMMENTARY

What Produces Hope?
   Experts have dubbed Generation Z as 
the hopeless generation. Those born from 1995 
to 2015 have higher suicide rates than other 
generation today. 
   Whats going on?
   I think they see the emptiness of it all 
and wonder whether if theres more to life. 
   Well, there is. But they wont find it 
in material things or fame. Theyll find it 
in a relationship with God. 
   David wrote, For in You, O Lord, I 
hope; You will hear, O Lord my God (Psalm 38:15 
NKJV). And in Psalm 130 we read, I wait for the 
Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope 
(verse 5 NKJV). 
   We will find hope from God and from His 
Word. Proverbs 10:28 tells us, The hopes of the 
godly result in happiness, but the expectations of 
the wicked come to nothing (NLT). 
   So, if youre a believer and your hope 
is in Christ, it will result in happiness. But 
if youve placed your expectations in other 
things, its all in vain. Jesus has what youre 
looking for. 
   When youre going through hardship, 
youll find out how real your faith actually is. 
   The Bible says, We also glory in 
tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces 
perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, 
hope (Romans 5:3"4 NKJV). 
   It isnt easy to be happy when things 
are hard. Thats what it means to glory in 
tribulations. But tribulation produces perseverance, or 
endurance. Then endurance produces character, and 
character produces hope. 
   When a Christian suffers and still 
glorifies God, it reassures the rest of us there never 
will be a valley so deep that God will not get us 
through it. It reminds us that our faith is real and 
will sustain us in our hour of need. [Greg Laurie 
from Harvest Ministries; 
https://www.harvestdaily.com]  

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Romans 5:3-5 - Turning Trials Into Treasures.

http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200130-1138.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Hope Awakens Bible Study Guides: 
https://www.hopeawakens.study/lesson-header;id=2 

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

Revelation Now by Pastor Doug Batchelor 
(recent): https://www.revelationnow.com/ 

Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of 
Adventist World Radio (recent): 
https://bible.awr.org/en/the-signs/ 

Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW: 
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657