PRAYER PROMPT ••• This is the first time I’ve done a Prayer Prompt series and yesterday, we spent time looking at the first part of Romans 12:12, “rejoice in hope.”
Today, we are focused on “be patient in tribulation.”
And tomorrow, we’ll review the last part of the verse, “constant in prayer.”
As much as this verse spoke to me, I admit – I only wanted to embrace the first and third part.
The idea of being “patient in tribulation” just doesn’t line up with my natural response.
My Logos software cross-referenced this verse to Hebrews 10:36, but I backed it up a few verses, starting with verse 34, “For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”
Having your belongings stolen?
And not just stolen, plundered (aka looted)?
Yes, I agree that fits the definition of a very hard time.
What tribulations have you faced?
Divorce?
Cancer?
Financial crisis?
Whatever your exact brand of hardship, was “patience” the term you’d have chosen?
But if we take a closer look at the passage in Hebrews, I love this sentence, “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.”
In other words, don’t lose hope.
What did we talk about yesterday?
Rejoicing in hope.
The expectation that God has a plan.
A good one.
Moreover, “you have need of endurance.”
Romans 15:5 refers to God as “the God of endurance and encouragement,” and Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
We aren’t alone in our troubles.
We are a prayer away from the God of unfailing love (Psalm 33:22) and unlimited resources (Ephesians 3:16) in every situation – big or small.
Today, as you pray, thank God for reminding us there’s a bigger picture beyond a temporary hardship.
He’s given us reason to hope and because He loves us, we can count on Him to strengthen us through any situation, even giving us the patience to trust in the middle of the unknown.
