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“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” (Romans 8:22, NIV)

Making sense of the apparent senselessness of many of the things we encounter in life is frustratingly difficult unless we maintain a perspective that is informed by God’s viewpoint.

In today’s passage, Paul states that all of creation is in transition. If we do not believe that God’s perfect creation was — and is — corrupted by sin, there is no accounting for the dysfunction we see in every aspect of life.

If we do not believe that God’s plan of redemption is at work, both in the past and in the present; and that this plan is moving toward a divinely-ordered end, our frustration will soon become despair.

Do all that you must to maintain God’s point of view, particularly in the difficult spots. – Luther

Tagged God's provision, the book of Romans, trial

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“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.” (Romans 5:3, NLT)

The only way to become a successful long-distance runner is to put in the miles over a period of time. Anything less, and the runner fails because he or she lacks endurance.

God is building into us endurance (perseverance) through various problems and trials as a track coach might send his runners over rough, hilly, trails; and through spongy meadows, knowing that in order to overcome, a runner must first endure.

God is fitting each one of us for His purposes. Trials and problems come into our life only with God’s permission. He permits them only to the extent that they are necessary to run the course we cannot yet see — or to run beside the individual we have not yet met.

When we recall that it is within God’s plan, we can rejoice. – Luther

Tagged endurance, the book of Romans, trials

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“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in your faith, that by the power of the Holy Spirit, your whole life and outlook may be radiant with hope.” (Romans 15:13, Phillips New Testament)

Is your whole life and outlook radiant with hope?
Our Lord, through Paul, sets forth this worthy goal for us with full confidence that it is, with the help of the Holy Spirit, eminently achievable. Yes, we can shine for Him — everywhere, and in every circumstance. As followers of Christ, dare we deny our Lord the opportunity to illuminate every dark corner of this world through us? – Luther

Tagged evangelism, hope, the book of Romans