September 24 | ROMANS 5:1-5

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DAILY READING

Romans 5:1-5

The Hope of Glory

By Judy Webb

^{Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5 NIV)}

^{Verse 1 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Not just a feeling, but the end of hostility (Isaiah 9:6-7) -- Once we submit to God, we have a different kind of peace; a peace that settles down the mind and enfolds the heart.}

^{Verse 2 - through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast (burst with joyful pride) in the hope of the glory. This glory is a promise of sharing in God’s eternal perfection and beauty. Believers have a joyful unshakable confidence in their eternal future with God through Jesus Christ.}

^{Verse 3 and 4 - This deep hope helps believers find joy in hard times. Because hard times build strong character. As I struggle with the reality of aging, this passage has ministered to me. Am I the only one who can’t get a grip on life after retirement but before death? The question of what is left for me to accomplish haunts my days. I know that there is much more for me, but how do I pick what is most important, most needed? Perhaps all that is needed is for me to look around to where God is pointing and I must lock my focus on those I know personally, who don’t yet know about this hope.}

^{My prayer list grows daily, not only for my needs, but for those around me who don’t share the hope of glory, the hope of life, the hope of the beautiful tomorrow waiting for us on the other side of this life. I know that the truth of the matter is that everyone lives forever, either in the presence of God, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures evermore (Psalm 16:11), or separated from him in ‘torment’ (Luke 16:28).}

^{With this knowledge, how can we then go through our days with little or no thought to eternity? “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) As John Piper said, “it is insane to live your life oblivious of eternity.”}

^{” We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2}

PRAYER

Dear Jesus,

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord. Give me a vision of eternity with you and then provide the words for me to say to everyone who needs to see tomorrow through your eyes. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for almost 20 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.