HOPE: God's Glory Revealed

"And we rejoice in the HOPE of the GLORY OF GOD. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that OUR SUFFERING PRODUCES perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE." (Romans 5: 2-4) emphasis added

So many of us have seen this scripture before.  But I believe that most of the time when we have read it, we tend to focus more on the part that states "we also rejoice in our sufferings....suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;...."  

Isn't it funny how we can pass over some of the most important and empowering words God is trying to tell us in scripture, by simply reading them not for ourselves but as someone else tells us too?  And that because of this action we commonly miss out on what God may be trying to tell us in the same sentence of words? 

I will also say that a majority of the time we choose to view this particular scripture from a more pessimistic view.  Focusing on the development of perseverance and character, rather than rejoicing, hope and God's glory.  

Now, I am not by any means saying that perseverance and character are bad things.  On the contrary, they are wonderful characteristics of wisdom and should be highly valued.  BUT, sometimes we are punishing ourselves when we look at our suffering and say that "we must rejoice because God is teaching us perseverance and building our character." Now this statement IS true...but how you view it is a whole different story of truth.  

I am attempting to present, that maybe just maybe this scripture says much much more.  That the perseverance and character we are developing is not highlighted towards waiting and pushing through pain, or having a higher resistance towards worry and doubt.  But is highlighted towards HOPE! 

That to HOPE for the glory of God...is to persevere and build character.  

None of us live a problem free life.  We all encounter big and small hurtles of faith everyday.  But let me suggest that there would be no room for God's glory in our lives, if we lived a problem free life.

So if we are rejoicing the in the Glory of God; we are also rejoicing in our sufferings because our sufferings are visible producers of God's shining glory.  

The less we are able to fix our suffering on our own, the more visible God's power, ability and glory becomes.

So....

When we engage in our problems with great expectation not in what we can do, but in what God can do, it allows the problems in our lives to be a producer of glory for God!

Amazing right!?

So the next time you are facing struggles in life, I would like to encourage you to stop HOPING for perseverance and character, but instead to start HOPING for God's glory!  You will be amazed as His light begins to shine through your problems and I know you will also be blessed as you watch perseverance and character develop in your life BECAUSE of your HOPE IN THE GLORY OF GOD!

AMEN!