SCRIPTURE:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
Romans 12:12
OBSERVATION:
One short verse, yet filled with so much. The Apostle Paul lays out three of the Fruit of the Spirit – Joy, Patience and Faithfulness. Separately they sound rather easy to do, but when you read it as in this verse it challenges the believer to the core. Practice joy in hope, not when things are good and everything is favorable for you. Practice patience in the midst of affliction, not when all is well. Practice faithfulness in prayer, continuing in steadfast prayer, even when prayers aren’t answered as quickly as we would like.
APPLICATION:
This verse came to life when I walked through one of the toughest seasons of my life. I had such a hard time wanting to walk out the Fruit of the Spirit. All I wanted was for all of my troubles to go away. I just wanted all of my problems to disappear, but I knew God was calling me to persevere.
On one particular day, as I struggled mightily, calling out to God for answers – any answer, I pulled up behind a truck that had a sticker in plain black letters and numbers that read simply “ROM 12:12.”
I had gotten my answer. The Lord was telling me that I wasn’t alone. He was speaking to me, telling me that I needed to push and persevere, that HE was with me – Find joy in the hope He brought, be patient in the fire knowing that He was working everything out and to stay faithful in my prayers and supplications to Him.
Over a decade later Romans 12:12 has become one of my key life verses, and a battle cry when the challenges of life come – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have given up too easily when You have called me to keep going. Thank You Lord for Your strength and hope. May I remember that You will never leave me nor forsake me, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
