Bible League: Living His Word And this hope will never disappoint us.— Romans 5:5 ERV Perhaps one of the worst feelings in the world is the feeling of disappointment. When you expect something to happen and it doesn't, you feel disappointed. Depending on the level of your expectations, you may feel more disappointed at certain times than others. When we are younger, our expectations are a little lower; but as we get older, we have greater expectations. A young boy may expect to go fishing with his father on a Saturday morning. What happens when his father must take a last-minute weekend business trip out of town? The young boy is quite disappointed. That level of disappointment is relatively small compared to what happens to adults. A young couple expects to have a baby, and infertility rears its head. There's such disappointment, because the dream of having children is crushed. A middle-aged man is let go from his job, because his company is down-sizing. His expectations of retirement from his company are dashed. An elderly woman watches her husband of 53 years struggle with a debilitating disease that robs him of his body and mind. Her expectations of the so-called "golden years" together are tarnished. In Romans 5, the Apostle Paul talks about how we are made right with God because of our faith in Christ. He brought us the blessing of God's grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Since we have received this grace, we are able to withstand the trials, tests, and even the disappointments of life. Even more than that, we can rejoice in them because they make us stronger in our faith. That strength, according to our verse for today, gives us a hope that never disappoints us. You may be experiencing disappointment on several fronts today. Perhaps you are struggling with doubt because of the disappointment you've experienced in your life. You can rest assured that because of God's love and grace and through faith in His Son Jesus, you have a hope that will never disappoint you. When the disappointments of life come, hold on to the hope you have in Christ for it will never fail you, let you down, or disappoint you. By Shawn Cornett, Bible League International staff, Illinois U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingGenesis 31, 32 Genesis 31 -- Jacob Leaves for Canaan; Laban Pursues NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Genesis 32 -- Jacob Prepares to Meet Esau, Wrestles with God NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Matthew 10:24-42 Matthew 10 -- Christ Sends out His Twelve Apostles, enabling them with power to do miracles NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me.Insight God was saying that the people would one day possess land in Canaan, but in God's plan, only God's ownership was absolute. He wanted his people to avoid greed and materialism. Challenge If you have the attitude that you are taking care of the Lord's property, you will make what you have more available to others. This is difficult to do if you have an attitude of ownership. Think of yourself as a manager of all that is under your care, not as an owner. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon 2 Kings 6:6 The iron did swim.The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honor of the prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of their God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man are possible with God. I knew a man in Christ but a few years ago who was called to undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as to involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he was called thereto, and his faith rose with the occasion; God honored his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the iron did swim. Another of the Lord's family was in grievous financial straits, he was able to meet all claims, and much more if he could have realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was overtaken with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but faith led him to the unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted, his footsteps were enlarged, and the iron did swim. A third had a sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had taught, reproved, warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain. Old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon, the stubborn spirit would not relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and before long a blessed answer was sent from heaven. The hard heart was broken, the iron did swim. Beloved reader, what is thy desperate case? What heavy matter hast thou in hand this evening? Bring it hither. The God of the prophets lives, and lives to help his saints. He will not suffer thee to lack any good thing. Believe thou in the Lord of hosts! Approach him pleading the name of Jesus, and the iron shall swim; thou too shalt see the finger of God working marvels for his people. According to thy faith be it unto thee, and yet again the iron shall swim. Daily Light on the Daily Path Ephesians 4:26 BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger,Matthew 18:15,21,22 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. • Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" • Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Mark 11:25 "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Colossians 3:12,13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; • bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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