In Romans 12:12 the Apostle Paul reminds us of 3 concepts… “Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, and devoted to prayer”… that are essential in the life of maturing / growing believers who are vibrantly walking by faith and not by sight! (see 2 Corinthians 5:7)
These are not isolated personal virtues, but interconnected spiritual disciplines that form the very backbone of authentic bible-based faith! In an age marked by uncertainty, anxiety, and unprecedented challenges, the church desperately needs believers who embody this triad of grace.
“Hope” – Hope serves as a firm foundation and solid anchor for our lives when circumstances seem threatening or overwhelming!
“Persevering in tribulation” – Perseverance refines our nature / character when various trials appear in life seeking to challenge one’s faith, bringing about compromise, fear, or destructive doubt!
“Devoted to prayer” – Prayer connects us to the inexhaustible eternal resources of our Lord every time in our human frailty and weakness our own strength falters!
Together, these three practical elements of genuine faith-living create a resilient believer who is capable of withstanding the stormy conditions of life in a pagan (godless), pleasure seeking world /culture.
Christian hope is not wishful thinking or blind optimism; it is confident expectation rooted in the unchanging character/ nature of God and His faithful promises. This hope transforms how one views every present circumstance, and should dominate believers’ thinking as they look to the future and their ultimate destiny. Paul the Apostle prayed, “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” (see Romans 15:13). Notice that hope is not self-generated but flows from the very “God of Hope” through the power and presence of God’s Holy Spirit! This genuine hope rests solely upon God’s demonstration of love towards humanity (see John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8) … a love so certain that the author of Hebrews describes this hope as “an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast” (see Hebrews 6:19), which provides unprecedented, unimaginable stability throughout all of life’s issues!
The great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, whom I often quote, understood this transformative power:
“Hope itself is like a star—not to be seen in the sunshine of prosperity, and only to be discovered in the night of adversity.”
Pastor John Piper has some profound insight:
“Hope is not a granted wish or a favor performed; no, it is far greater than that. It is a zany, unpredictable dependence on a God who loves to surprise us out of our socks.”
Then, Christian Apologist Tim Keller reminds us,
“The Christian Gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me. This leads to deep humility and deep confidence at the same time.”
This hope fundamentally transforms our response to difficulties. When we rejoice in hope, we are not denying any present pain, but affirming future glory — enabling us to see beyond immediate circumstances to God’s ultimate purposes.
Persevering in Tribulation is somewhat like a refiner’s fire, not an interruption to one’s faith-walk, but an integral part of the ongoing spiritual formation within each committed believer. God uses trials to produce character, deepen faith, and conform us to the image of Christ. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us to “Exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope!” Tribulation initiates a divine process that ultimately produces hope. The writing of James clearly echoes this truth: “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (see James 1:2-4).
Puritan pastor Thomas Watson observed, “Affliction is the diamond dust that heaven polishes its jewels with.”Elisabeth Elliot, who fully knew the meaning of profound suffering, wrote, “The fact that I am a woman does not make me a different kind of Christian, but the fact that I am a Christian makes me a different kind of woman. For I have accepted God’s idea of me, and my whole life is an offering back to Him of all that I am and all that He wants me to be.”
Believers endure / persevere through tribulation and times of suffering because we all know it is producing eternal glory. One faces trials with joy, understanding that’s it’s our Lord’s refining purposes, which improves everything about life as a committed, faithful believer! In essence, we endure with / in / through / faith because whatever difficulty one faces, the Lord uses it to deepens our confidence in Him and mold us for whatever future challenges are ahead.
Being or becoming devoted to prayer provides a continued lifeline of support for one’s personal relationship of faith in Christ Jesus. Author, E.M. Bounds, a great prayer warrior, declared, “Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet.” Andrew Murray, another Christian leader and faithful man of prayer, wrote, “The man who mobilizes the Christian church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelization in history.”
Prayer is not merely a religious duty; it is vital communion with the Lord that sustains every aspect of one’s Christian experience. Through prayer, we access divine resources and align ourselves with God’s will, as well as with His purposes, as we undergo His transforming presence / process! Therefore, we “pray without ceasing!” (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17) Continuous communication with the Lord is a pathway to supernatural peace.
Through prayer, Christ’s followers cultivate hope though communion with the Lord, and find incredible strength to persevere through tribulation! When one is devoted to prayer that’s not merely crisis-driven, but consistent and fervent … the believer is positioned to receive everything the Lord desires to bestow upon them. Prayer keeps hearts tender, minds focused, and spirits sensitive to the leadings of God’s Holy Spirit … a supernatural link, through which divine power flows right into human weakness.
Rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, and devoted to prayer are not three separate Christian ideals, but the actual dimensions of an integrated, healthy, spiritual life of genuine faith! When these three concepts work in concert, they produce believers who cannot be shaken by circumstances, discouraged by opposition, or defeated by various trials or difficult situations! They create Christians who glorify God in every season — not because life is easy, but because our God is always faithful.
“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”
Romans 15:13
May hope an anchor for your soul, may perseverance refine your character, and may prayer connect you to the very heart of our Lord, Saviour and King, Jesus Christ!
His and Yours because of GRACE (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense)
-Pastor Frank
