Romans 12:12: Rejoice In Hope, Be Patient In Tribulation, Be Constant In Prayer

Romans 12:12
[12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (ESV)

It seems that we spend much of our time on trivial things. The Apostle Paul was a man who could not afford to be wasteful with the time that was given to him. As an Apostle to the Gentiles he was caring for churches all over the Roman Empire. God chose a great spokesman to deliver the message of how we should live our lives daily for the Lord.

Rejoice in hope. What is your hope that you look forward to? If your hope is found in anything that this world has to offer you are not placing your hope in the right thing. We are to rejoice in the hope of the Lord's appearing. We have given our lives to Jesus Christ. We have gotten a small taste of his wonder and majesty. We place our hope in being with him forever.

Patience in tribulation. I do not know about you, but this phrase is difficult for me. I am not a patient person. It is bad enough trying to be patient when life is going well, but even more difficult to be patient when life is hard. If I am able to grasp the Biblical concept that tribulation will draw me closer to Christ it should help me to endure it with more patience.

Constant in Prayer. Some people only pray when they are in Church on a Sunday. Others pray when they are in a crisis of some kind. The Bible is instructing us that we should be in prayer constantly. It helps to think of prayer as an ongoing conversation. When you pray you are simply talking to God. You can talk to him wherever you go, all day long. Constant in prayer.

How are you living your daily life for the Lord? Are you wasting time on trivial things? Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a vision of the Savior that fills you with hope, enables you to be patient in tribulation, and invites you into divine conversation all throughout your day.

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