By: Carole L. Haines
5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one purpose and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:5-7 NASB)
It happened again, the pipe under the sink came loose when I pulled the plug. The water proceeded to pour out, flooding the space under the sink. I began to grumble, whine and complain about the stupid things that keep happening. My Sweet husband still happened to be home, so he came and patiently sat down and fixed it again, for about the 10th time in the last six months. Afterwards I said, “Wrap it in duct tape, just to hold the fix in place.” My husband is so patient and persevering with all the things that go awry around our wonderful old house.
As I read through Bible Gateway’s chapter of the day, I was blessed by just how much God gives to us. He gives us the perseverance and encouragement we need when things continually go wrong in our own little world’s. He is the God upon whom we can hang our hopes He is the never changing One, who holds us steady and gives us hope. Noting is too small or too large for Him to give His attention to. Praise be to our powerful and intimately caring God.
The chapter goes on to declare even more wonderful things that God gives us.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (vs. 13)
It is God who fills us with all joy and peace, overflowing with hope. How? As we believe Him, trusting in His promises, we will abound in hope. By what means? By the power of the Holy Spirit. Paul sums up this wonderful chapter of encouragement by saying:
32 “So that I may come to you in joy by the will of God and relax in your company. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” (vs32)
Aaaah! How wonderful to relax in a place of joy and peace. That place can be found anywhere God is. He has redeemed us, and by His grace alone, that fix will hold, because He will hold it in place.
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