Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. – Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope is the first command of today’s verse. What if you don’t feel like it? Painful trials may make rejoicing seem impossible. There is something you can do to rejoice apart from emotions. You can delight in God by thanking Him for who He is, what He has done and what He has promised, and the blessings He provides each day. When you do that, feelings of joy will follow.
The second command in today’s verse is to be patient in tribulation. Again, you may not feel patient. You might wonder when an ongoing season of struggle will end. Being patient means waiting for your Heavenly Father to act, with a trusting attitude. You have prayed. He has promised. The Lord will come through. Be confident and do not despair. Wait with peace and contentment.
The third command of today’s verse is to be constant in prayer. Is that possible when your mind is filled with to-dos and deadlines? Aim to be consistent with a set time to pray, but also insert those in-the-moment prayers as you go about your day. Perhaps you need something to remind you to pray, like when your phone rings, when you wait at a traffic light, or even when you see a particular combination of numbers on the clock. However, be gentle with yourself if you realize you haven’t prayed for a while – just pray! Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer. Ask the Lord to accomplish His will in this country’s governing officials, citizens, and issues.
Today’s Verse: Romans 12:12
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 92
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are your works, O Lord!
Your thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know;
the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but you, O Lord, are on high forever.
9 For behold, your enemies, O Lord,
for behold, your enemies shall perish;
all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But you have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox;
you have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;
my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants.
12 The righteous flourish like the palm tree
and grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
13 They are planted in the house of the Lord;
they flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They still bear fruit in old age;
they are ever full of sap and green,
15 to declare that the Lord is upright;
he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
