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Intention
In this life we face many tribulations, but as believers we have hope, and His name is Jesus.

Scripture

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
— Romans 5:3-5 NKJV

Reflection
Life abundant is what Jesus promise us in John 10:10. Even so, huge blocks of our lives may be filled with sadness, sorrow, trials and troubles. It is a tragedy we must face because we live in a broken world.

I think this is why Paul, the writer of Romans, is compelled to focus on the word ‘hope’. He prefaces it by acknowledging that tribulations are real — but our response is to ‘glory’ in it. In other words, we are to face trials with a great attitude. Now consider all the trouble that we’ve faced this year so far. The dawn of a new decade was quickly overshadowed by bushfires here, floods in Indonesia, and a global pandemic lockdown, just to name a few.

How disappointing. All of this — not to mention our daily struggles — can leave us feeling empty, with nothing to look forward to. Happiness can be overtaken by grief, mental illness or the sting of offence. As believers, we can appropriately mirror the psalmists in their cry: “Why are you downcast, O my soul?” Indeed, the world presents great troubles. But we take courage, because we have a greater hope in Jesus.

Let’s focus on verse 5 of our Scripture. We have hope so we aren’t disappointed. We have hope so that our emptiness is filled with love. We have hope as a reminder that the Holy Spirit is ever at work. And we have hope to remind us that God is for us.

Now let’s replace the word ‘hope’ in these sentences and in verse 5 with the name of Jesus: We have Jesus so we aren’t disappointed. We have Jesus so our emptiness is filled with love. We have Jesus as a reminder that Holy Spirit is at work. And we have Jesus to remind us that God is for us.

Hope has a Name. Hallelujah! While we revel in our hope, let us also consider those who are yet to discover this hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer
Father, thank You. I would not have made it very far in life if it wasn’t for Your Son, Jesus. What a hope we have in our Hero. I praise You for how You have never disappointed me. Jesus, You fill my emptiness with love. Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to continue a great work in me. I gratefully declare that You are for me, Jesus! Please open doors of opportunity for me to share this hope. Send the hopeless my way. Send the lonely, the hurting and the broken my way, Lord, or send me to them so I can introduce to them the Name that gives hope — Jesus Christ. In His name I pray. Amen.

31 Days Prayer Points
1. Pray for five people and share the Good News of Jesus with them.
2. Pray that God would use His people to reach one billion people this May.
3. Pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic, both in Australia and globally.

Ps Yan Riopirio—Pastor, Filipino Christian Fellowship

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