READING: Proverbs 8-10, Psalms 144, Romans 12
Sometimes it feels like the Christian life is a roller coaster. We have good days, and we have days of struggle. We stand on tall mountains one day, but then find ourselves in deep valleys the next. Faith seems easy and accessible at some points but elusive and tough at other points. Victories come. Defeats happen. Repentance restores, and reconciliation brings joy. Sometimes, age weakens our ability to serve like we want, even while we begin to long for the eternal reward God promises.
At any point in this journey, these words of Paul in Romans 12—words in the midst of the apostle’s description of a life surrendered to God’s Spirit—still challenge and encourage us: “Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer” (Rom 12:12). We are always to find cause for rejoicing in the promise of resurrection and the surety of Christ’s return. Then, we are to endure through affliction with faith that doesn’t turn its attention from Jesus. Through Him, we have peace the world cannot understand. Throughout, we must continually pray, increasingly loving Jesus and depending on Him more. No matter where the roller coaster takes us, we know who is in charge.
PRAYER: “Lord, help me today to do all that Your Word requires in Romans 1.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
