Day 29 - Hope of Glory

Child of Hope: An Advent Devotional

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Hope of Glory

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 suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:2-4

Many of the Christmas carols we know and love speak not only of Bethlehem, but also of Calvary. The shadow of the cross reaches all the way to the manger. Even as we gaze upon the Christchild we weep, because we know that the shining brow shall one day bear the crown of thorns. The dimpled hands, when grown to manhood, shall be broken by the marks of nails. We know what is to come, and so we grieve for Jesus’ sake. Yet we would do well to remember “the rest of the story.” Christ’s suffering won our peace. We are reconciled to God by the sacrifice of the Son. Just as Jesus had to be born, to leave the courts of heaven and become a man, in the same way Jesus had to die. The punishment we deserve was placed on Him. By His suffering, the stripes He bore, we are healed.

What does suffering do for us? Well, it does not save us, but it can produce perseverance, and perseverance can produce character, and character can produce hope. Paul isn’t writing about any kind of suffering, including the kinds that we bring upon ourselves. The context makes it clear that Paul means that the suffering that leads to hope is suffering for the sake of Christ. As the long shadow of persecution began to stretch over the infant Church, Paul reminded Christians to use their suffering to make themselves cling to Jesus even more. That’s excellent advice. Suffering can make us bitter or it can make us better. Which will it do for you?

If we are refined in the flames of suffering, and if we persevere so that our character is purified, then our hope will only be strengthened, and our lives will come to reflect more and more of the glory of God.

Prayer for the Day
Holy Spirit,
power and presence of God in my life,
lead me in the paths my Savior would have me tread.
Strengthen me, so that I may endure all things by grace.
Keep hope alive in me, until I see my Savior face to face.
In the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen.