“But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (Romans 8:25, NASB)
I used to go to the golf course hoping that day would be the day everything would come together for a great round. Might today be a personal best? I would imagine. There were days where hoping to set a new course record was even within reason.
Today, my hopes for a day on the golf course are a little different. I simply hope my body holds up and that it is not too painful of an experience to enjoy my round. I have been dealing with a chronic inflammatory condition that affects my spine and other joints. This yet-to-be-diagnosed condition has recently progressed into other debilitating symptoms that is making other areas of life frustrating.
Needless to say, the things I am now hoping for have changed. I am hoping for a diagnosis, relief from symptoms and pain, and every now and then, frankly, a new body. We all have things in this life that we struggle with. It is a condition of living in a fallen world. The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans that “the creation was subjected to futility,” but that we have a hope in something greater than we have ever known or seen.
It can be hard at times not to dwell on our present circumstances, especially when they seem so oppressing. We suffer through trials of all kinds—financial, relational, mental, emotional, physical. In these times we need to be reminded that victory has already been won over these things. In fact, if we are in Christ, then God has placed his spirit in us. We are no longer of mortal flesh subjected to an outcome of death, pain, and suffering, because the Spirit of God dwells in us.
In times of trial we need to be reminded that victory has already been won over these things.Our outcome is already promised. We must choose to live and think as children of God, “and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:17-18).
This is good news about my physical ailments and your pressing circumstances. They have already been defeated, and we can be confident in the outcome. “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?” (Romans 8:24).
No matter how good life has been or is currently, or how great are the things in this life you are hoping for, nothing that you have ever experienced or seen here on this earth compares to the promises God has made for your future. It is certain, and it is good. Therefore, we must set our mind on the promises of God. “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).
I leave you with the very words Paul used to open his epistles: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
—
Josh Nelson
October 22, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
Photo by Road Trip with Raj on Unsplash