July 10, 2024
by Pastor Chuck SwindollScriptures: Romans 8:23
AT LONG LAST I AM FINALLY discovering that that stuff about Rome not being built in a day is true. And speaking of Rome, Paul’s words to the century-one Christians who lived there are truer than ever.
AT LONG LAST I AM FINALLY discovering that that stuff about Rome not being
built in a day is true. And speaking of Rome, Paul’s words to the
century-one Christians who lived there are truer than ever.
We believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a
foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from
sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will
give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies
he has promised us.
ROMANS 8:23
Rearing children. I know of few processes that require more patience.
We hope . . . we wait.
Standing alone. That’s a tough one. You can’t figure out why,
but your tendency to lean on another person has eroded into needing that
individual to make it. It’s gotten out of control. You need his or
her approval. You need the strength of that person’s character. You
have to be in touch too much.
We hope . . . we wait.
Accepting defeat. Ours is a winner-oriented world. Whether it’s
sports or politics, education or sales . . . winning is essential for
survival. Sounds so right. Seems only logical. But isn’t it strange
that our deepest and best lessons in life are invariably learned amid
defeats? Pain remains a marvelous pedagogue, a strict but faithful
professor.
We hope . . . we wait.
Life presses in, we get discouraged, we come close to quitting.
In it all, we hope and wait for the promise of God. That He will be
faithful. That He will deliver us and provide. In what or in whom is your
hope? Are you waiting on life to change or are you learning to wait on Him?
Don’t rush to answer. Just ponder. Be still. Read and pray. He will
stand by your side when you feel most alone. Wait . . . and hope. Wait . .
. and hope.