Author: David Short

Romans 5:1-5

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 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.

Encouraging Words

I love all the active verbs in this passage revealing to us that our God is not passive in His relationship with us. Look at this list…

     justified by faith
     we have peace
     we have access by faith
     into His grace we stand
     rejoice in hope
     glory in tribulations
     knowing
     tribulation produces perseverance
          perseverance produces character
               character produces hope
                    hope does not disappoint
     love of God poured out, given to us by the Holy Spirit

Psalms 91:14-16 (90:14-16)

“For he hoped in Me, and I will deliver him;
I will shelter him, because he knew My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will hear him;
I am with him in affliction,
And I will deliver and glorify him.
With length of days I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Encouraging Words

The psalmist points out so many things that will happen in our lives when we put our hope in God. God will deliver us through every trial and tribulation of life. He shelters us. He lets us know Him. He hears us when we call out to Him. He is with us in our hard times. Again, He delivers us and even glorifies us. He satisfies us. And most importantly, He shows us His salvation. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Romans 4:5-8

But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

Personal Challenge

We are blessed by God, not for the things that we do, but for how we believe in Him. It is by our faith in Him that we receive His blessings. It is because of our love for Him and our appreciation of His blessings that we do works for Him. Living this way always puts God at the center of everything, which it should be. Glory be to God!

Psalms 91:4 (90:4)

He shall overshadow you with His shoulders,
And under His wings you shall hope;
His truth shall encircle you with a shield.

Encouraging Words

It is amazing, when you think about it, that the almighty God, who holds all of creation in the palm of His hand, chooses to overshadow, encircle, and protect each and every one of us. He loves us that much. The imagery of the protective mother hen covering up her brood to protect them from the storm or the predator is so appropriate. Thank you. Father, for your love and protection!

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Personal Challenge

No matter how you look at it, if we desire to someday see God in heaven, we need Jesus. He is the only one who ever lived a sinless life. He is the only one who, being God, became a human being in order to connect humanity to God. He is the only one who gave His life for those of us who will always fall short of the glory of God. Jesus is our salvation. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Psalms 91:1 (90:1)

He who dwells in the help of the Most High Shall lodge in the shelter of the God of heaven.

Romans 3:10-12

As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”

Personal Challenge

Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that none of us deserve God’s presence in our lives. We do not deserve the grace and mercy that God chooses to pour out upon us. This is not as much to point out our depravity as it is to point out God’s great love and compassion for us, His creation. Our salvation from death is in Him, and Him alone. We cannot earn our salvation. God freely gives it to us. Glory be to God!

Psalms 89:47-48 (88:48-49)

Let my substance be remembered, as to what sort it is,
For did You create all the sons of men in vain?
What kind of man is there who will live and not see death?
Will he deliver his soul from the hand of Hades? (Pause)

Personal Challenge

God is eternal, we are not. God is all good, we sin. There are those times in our lives where we feel lost in the greatness of everything, and we call out to God asking that He remember us. He does. He always does. He desires that we walk with Him as Adam and Eve did in the garden. He cares for us and guides us through this journey of life. It is up to us to listen to Him and to follow Him. Glory be to God!