Romans 12:12 - Be Joyful in Hope; Patient in Affliction and Faithful in Prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NIV) Be joyful in hope,
patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12 (NLT) Rejoice in our confident
hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.
COMMENTARY
Hey, Buck, what do you think penguins
did to deserve that life?" John said, in his
John Brooklynese. I know this sounds like a
strange conversation starter, but if you knew John
you'd understand. "Okay. I'll bite," I said,
settling in for the verbal ride.
"Seriously, take a look at those guys.
They basically live in a subzero blizzard,
everything around is trying to eat them, the dads have
to stand there protecting an egg while the mom
walks a million miles for a beak-full of food to
bring back..."
"Well...?"
But John, being John, was off to another
topic.
But I was stuck on the penguins. Do you
ever wonder the same? God, what did I do to
deserve this?
It's interesting, the longer I walk with
the Lord, the more wonderfully mysterious He
becomes. Sometimes He blesses me when I least expect
it. Sometimes I think I'm plugging along great
and He leads me smack into a season of struggle.
But, fair winds or storms, He is God. And He is
good.
I've never stood in a blizzard protecting
an egg. But there have been rough parts of the
road, and it's been there in the valleys, in the
darkest dark, that I've felt that warm arm around my
shoulders and I've heard that heavenly whisper of love
that never leaves or forsakes. Looking back, I
wouldn't trade a mile.
And, now that I think about it, penguins
actually look pretty happy. Maybe they already know
something I'm learning every day - mountaintop or
canyon, we have a Friend on the journey. And I'm so
glad.
May the stars make me humble and the
storms make me strong. Thank You, Lord. for the
things that bring me closer to You. Buck Storm
[Walking in Grace 2021 Devotional by Guideposts and
Zondervan]
In 1 Corinthians 15:43-44 (TLB), we read,
"The bodies we have now embarrass us, for they
become sick and die; but they will be full of glory
Yes, they are weak, dying bodies now, but
when we live again they will be full of strength.
They are just human bodies at death, but when
they come back to life they will be superhuman
bodies. For just as there are natural, human bodies,
there are also supernatural, spiritual bodies." I
can hardly believe it. I, with shriveled, bent
fingers; atrophied muscles; and no feeling from the
shoulders down will one day have a new body - light,
bright, and clothed in righteousness - powerful and
dazzling. Can you imagine the hope this gives someone
with a spinal cord injury, a brain injury,
cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, or bipolar
disease? As the apostle Paul writes, we can "be
joyful in hope" (Rom. 12:12) just allowing our
imaginations to think about such things.
Lord, I thank You and praise You for the
indescribable, almost explosive hope in 1 Corinthians 15.
When Im weary and discouraged over arms and
legs that don't work. I remember that the time is
very short - a handful of years at most - until I
will step into a new body made to live forever. A
body like Yours! What a wondrous, joyful thought!
[A Spectacle of Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada
and Larry Libby]
Prayer is a Habit Worth Having
Do you want to know how to deepen your
prayer life? At the risk of sounding like a
preacher - which I am - may I make a suggestion? Why
dont you check your habits?
In Romans 12:12, Paul says, When
trials come endure them patiently; steadfastly
maintain the habit of prayer. Prayer is a habit
worth having. Dont prepare to pray. Just pray.
Dont read about prayer. Just pray. Dont attend
a lecture on prayer or engage in discussion
about prayer. Just pray.
Posture, tone, and place are personal
matters. Select the form that works for you. But
dont think about it too much. Dont be so
concerned about wrapping the gift that you never give
it. Better to pray awkwardly than not at all.
And if you feel you should only pray when
inspired, thats okay. Just see to it that you are
inspired every day. [Max Lucado Daily Devotional at
maxlucado.com]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Hope is a golden cord connecting you to
heaven. This cord helps you hold your head up high,
even when multiple trials are buffeting you. I
never leave your side, and I never let go of your
hand. But without the cord of hope, your head may
slump and your feet may shuffle as you journey
uphill with Me. Hope lifts your perspective from
your weary feet to the glorious view you can see
from the high road. You are reminded that the
road we are traveling together is ultimately a
highway to heaven. When you consider this radiant
destination, the roughness or smoothness of the road
ahead becomes much less significant. I am training
you to hold in your heart a dual focus: My
continual Presence and the hope of heaven. (Rom.
12:12; 1Th. 5:8; Heb. 6:18, 19) [Jesus Calling by
Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
Romans 15:13 - Finding Hope In A
Relationship With Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200418-0909.html
Romans 5:3-5 - Hope Never Disappoints.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201204-1014.html
Romans 5:3-5 - Turning Trials Into Treasures.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200130-1138.html
Romans 12:12 - Perseverance in Prayer.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190902-1157.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:
https://www.revelationnow.com/
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio:
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
